Vikram Seth announces A Suitable Girl

[PressSpy]

In a move which will cheer hundreds of thousands of his fans, Vikram Seth has today announced he is writing a long-awaited sequel to his much-loved million copy bestseller A Suitable Boy, set in India just after Independence. A Suitable Girl will be published by Penguin (UK, India and Canada; the US rights are not yet for sale)in autumn 2013. In Seth’s new book, he will bring the action of the narrative up tothe present day, encompassing some of the enormous social and economic changes India has undergone in the last sixty years. Lata, the sparky and rebellious heroine of A Suitable Boy, is now a grandmother, and her grandson is the one in search of a good match.

2013 marks the twentieth anniversary of the publication of A Suitable Boy, which was a worldwide sensation. The 1,350 page book sold over a quarter of a million hardbacks and over a million paperback copies in its UK edition. In 2013, Penguin will put the book into its distinguished Modern Classics list and republish the book in paperback. In the intervening years, Penguin will also publish volumes of Vikram’s poems and essays.

Vikram Seth said today, “In India, all my books have for years been published by Penguin. But I am very happy today to be joining foreign colonies of the Flightless One. They have already made me feel very welcome, and I hope in time to hatch many suitable eggs with them.”

Penguin imprint Hamish Hamilton has bought World English Language rights (excluding the US) from Vikram’s agent, David Godwin. This is the first worldwide acquisition by Hamish Hamilton UK, together with its newly formed imprints in Melbourne, Toronto and Delhi.

Hamish Hamilton Publishing Director, Simon Prosser commented, “Since first reading The Golden Gate I have been a devoted follower of Vikram's writing -- as a novelist, poet, memoirist and indeed e-mailer -- so I cannot believe my good fortune in being able to work with Vikram on his next few books, including the sequel to the extraordinary A Suitable Boy. Nothing could delight me more."

[Stewart]

2013, eh? That doesn't leave me much time to read A Suitable Boy.

[kpjayan]

Here is the news in the Hindu Newspaper today..

The Hindu : National : Now, await A Suitable Girl

[Igu Soni]

Interesting, just when I'm a day from finishing the first novel.