Bluebird acquires book on happiness by Pope Francis

Pan Macmillan imprint Bluebird has acquired a new book by Pope Francis, a rumination on happiness called Happiness in this Life.

Building on the imprint's publication in 2016 of the Pope’s first book, The Name of God is Mercy, Carole Tonkinson acquired UK and Commonwealth rights excluding Canada from Laura Casonato at Piemme to his next book.

Happiness in this Life will be a lead title for Bluebird, publishing in hardback on 14th December 2017. Subtitled A Passionate Meditation on Material Existence, it will draw on his own past experiences as a priest to discuss the meaning of - and journey towards - happiness, a subject of central importance in his teaching and testimony.

Tonkinson said: "Pope Francis’s beautiful and uplifting text will help readers discover how to find fulfilment and meaning in their daily lives. I think it will really stand out amongst the range of New Year titles, many of which rely on quick fixes-that don’t address our deepest longings. Francis offers a profound and informed perspective."

The Name of God is Mercy has sold 9,922 copies for £108,089 to date.