Yann Martel

Canongate reveals Martels Holocaust tale Listen Select BOOK NEWS Canongate has exclusively revealed details of the forthcoming original by Yann Martel, his first since the 2002 Man Booker-winner Life of Pi was published eight years ago. Entitled Beatrice and Virgil, the book is due for publication next June. It is being released simultaneously by Knopf Canada, Random House imprint Spiegel & Grau in New York, Text Publishing in Australia and Penguin India.The story follows Henry, who on being posed a puzzle that he cannot resist is pulled into the world of taxidermy, and the lives of the eponymous charactersa donkey named Beatrice and a monkey c onlyed Virgil. Canongate give tongue to the book, which tackles the topic of the Holocaust, takes us somewhere truly unthought and shocking, asking profound moral and philosophical questions about the nature of love and evil.Jamie Byng, managing director and publisher of Canongate, said Life of Pi was everlastingly going to be an extreme ly tricky book to follow up, not least because of the expectations of Yanns many fans. Thankfully, Yann has risen to the challenge by writing another special novel, a wildly imaginative and multilayered story that engrosses from the first page and leaves you asking questions long after you have turned the last. I was stunned by Beatrice and Virgil and all of us at Canongate ar enormously excited about taking this book to as many readers as we can. The publication will be back up by an impressive PR and marketing campaign, which will include consumer and social media advertising, widespread media coverage, author interviews, an extensive online campaign and events and festival appearances across the UK. Retailers are now being invited to pitch for signings. Canongate has high hopes for the book, as Life of Pi remains the most successful Booker winner ever. The publisher repackaged the title this July, which Canongate said trebled sales when compared with the previous year.