Manilla Press, the literary imprint of Bonnier Books UK’s Zaffre Publishing Group, has acquired a gripping and cinematic Swedish #1 bestseller from journalist Moa Herngren, translated by Alice Menzies.
Publisher Sophie Orme acquired UK & Commonwealth rights at auction from Josephine Oxelheim at Salomonsson Agency.
The Divorce was a #1 bestseller in Sweden, selling over 100,000 copies. It has landed high-profile award nominations, including being shortlisted for the prestigious Swedish Book of the Year award. Rights have been sold in 20 territories.
Sophie Orme said: ‘When I picked up The Divorce I couldn’t put it down – gripping, cinematic, this brilliant relationship drama held me completely spellbound and the way the book pivots halfway through as you move from Bea to Niklas’ points of view is masterfully done. I can’t wait to get everyone reading, discussing and arguing about this book’
Moa Herngren is a journalist, former editor-in-chief of Elle Magazine and a highly sought-after manuscript writer. She is also the co-creator and writer on Netflix hit-show Bonus Family.
Alice Menzies is a freelance translator based in London. Her translations include work by Jonas Hassen Khemiri, Fredrik Backman, Tove Alsterdal and Jens Liljestrand.
Moa Herngren said: ‘Back when I lived in London, I used to spend many an hour browsing the shelves of my local Waterstones. Little could I then have imagined I’d one day be seeing my own novel for sale, alongside my favourite British writers, in that very same bookshop. I am truly delighted to have my book published overseas and cannot thank Sophie Orme and the Manilla Press-team enough for their faith, enthusiasm and hard work.’
Josephine Oxelheim said: ‘What a privilege it has been to present Moa Herngren’s outstanding bestseller The Divorce worldwide, a page-turner which masterfully toys with the readers’ emotions. I was thrilled to see editorial teams across the globe engage in heated debates on character allegiances, just as Moa’s novel caused quite the stir in book clubs and living rooms across her native Sweden. The international response has been fantastic and Manilla Press with Sophie Orme at the helm genuinely feels like the dream team for introducing Moa Herngren to the UK readership.’
The Divorce will be published in hardback, audio and eBook in July 2024, with the paperback following in summer 2025.
