'Powerfully intelligent' Attenberg novel to Serpent's Tail

Serpent’s Tail has acquired Jami Attenberg’s "powerfully intelligent and wickedly funny" new novel All Grown Up.

All Grown Up is an "enthralling" confession of a woman contending with the outside world's expectations of who she should be. UK & Commonwealth (excluding Canada) rights were bought from Doug Stewart at Sterling Lord Literistic.

The book follows Andrea, a single, childless 39-year-old woman, who tries to navigate family, sexuality, friendships and a career she never wanted. Told in "gut-wrenchingly honest" language that "shimmers with rage and intimacy", All Grown Up poses such questions as: What if I don't want to hold your baby? Can I date you without ever hearing about your divorce? What can I demand of my mother now that I am an adult? Is therapy pointless? When does drinking a lot become a drinking problem? Why does everyone keep asking me why I am not married?"

Hannah Westland, Serpent’s Tail publisher, said: '‘Jami Attenberg is the first author I brought to the Serpent’s Tail list and All Grown Up, the third of her novels we have acquired, is the most powerful yet. Fiercely intelligent and wickedly funny, readers will recognise themselves in Jami Attenberg's truthful account of what it means to be a 21st century woman, though they might not always want to admit it. Everyone will be talking about this book next year."

Attenberg said: "There isn't a UK publisher out there putting out cooler, sharper literary works than Serpent's Tail. I am over the moon to join them for a third book."

Attenberg’s previous novel, Saint Mazie (Serpent's Tail), will be adapted into a mini-series by Clara Brennan for Faye Ward’s Fable Pictures. The project is being developed with Helena Bonham Carter who will produce and star in the lead role.

Serpent’s Tail will publish All Grown Up in June 2017.