Bloomsbury scoops McMullan’s debut novel

Bloomsbury will publish journalist Thomas McMullan’s debut novel The Last Good Man in November 2020. 

Bloomsbury's Alexa von Hirschberg acquired the book by the writer, critic and journalist, shortly before departing for Faber, in a deal for UK and Commonwealth rights from Harriet Moore at David Higham Associates. The Last Good Man will be published in November next year with Bloomsbury's editor Allegra Le Fanu to work on the novel. 

McMullan’s work has appeared in publications including the Guardian, Observer, TLS, and Frieze, and has been published in Best British Short Stories (Salt). He was a member of the Royal Court Young Writers Programme and has had plays produced at the ICA, Southwark Playhouse, the V&A and the British Museum.

“A troubling, uncanny book about fear and atonement, responsibility and justice, The Last Good Man dares to ask, what makes people good?,” the synopsis reads. “And whose job is it to answer that question? Duncan Peck is new to the village. He has come from the city, where civilisation has broken down; but out here on the moors there is community, and order, and safety. Under the shadow of a great wall, the people live an honest life; and if there’s any trouble, they have a way to settle it. Anyone can write on the wall, anonymously, about their neighbours, about any wrongdoing that might compromise the community. Nothing happens if there's only one allegation. Or two. But any more than that, and there has to be a reckoning.”

Le Fanu said: “Thomas has written a book of striking muscularity, brilliance and dread; a parable about how we police our societies through violence, language and shame, and about the violence of writing in public spaces. It is a truly original work, both timeless and timely – I can’t wait for the rest of the world to be sucked into its peaty undertow.”

Moore added: “This is a taut, mud-spattered work of literary brilliance which is incredibly sophisticated about human behaviour and how we use and misuse language.”

McMullan said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that Bloomsbury will be publishing the book. I’m over the moon, giddy and wild. The story means a lot to me and I’m very thankful for the care and attention Alexa and Allegra have given it.”