Mackesy hit named bestselling UK hardback since records began

Charlie Mackesy’s The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse has become the UK’s bestselling adult hardback book since records began, according to figures released by publisher Ebury.

The book, which is based on the artist's pictures from his daily Instagram account, has become a runaway success since publication in September 2019. It was acquired almost three years ago by Laura Higginson, editorial director at Ebury Press.

Ebury said of the 128-page book: “Charlie’s treasured fable continues to defy all expectations; sales have now surpassed Jamie Oliver’s 30-Minute Meals, making it the biggest selling adult hardback since records began — second only to J K Rowling’s Harry Potter series in terms of all categories."

The publisher said the book’s total recorded UK sales are now at 1,967,949 copies, including estimated sales for the weeks missing from Nielsen BookScan's figures due to lockdown periods, making it the bestselling adult hardback since official sales records began. The Bookseller was unable to verify this figure. There are more than 5.5 million copies in print worldwide, and rights have been sold in 43 territories and counting, according to the publisher.

Ebury said of the book, which became 2020's bestselling title: “The shared conversations between Charlie’s beloved characters have touched the hearts of millions of readers around the world. The book has brought comfort, joy, and a sense of belonging to readers of all ages and has reminded us of what really matters.” 

Higginson commented: "To publish a book that feels so needed by so many people is humbling. These record-breaking numbers are testament to the power of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse — the stories of solace readers have found in its pages move us every week. The whole team, including the production team, printers, sales team and warehouse team work hard to keep this in print so The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse can continue to support readers of all ages around the world."

The book helped 60-year-old Ebury achieve a record 12 months of revenue, leading to a 2021 Nibbie shortlisting for Publisher of the Year, The Bookseller recently revealed. “I’d say it has been one of the most happiest, most fulfilling and all-round special experiences I have ever been involved in,” Ebury m.d. Joel Rickett told The Bookseller of the book’s publication in 2019. 

A vinyl version of the book was released in June 2021, brought to life by Mackesy himself, as a black gatefold double vinyl edition featuring the music score by composer Max Richter and a bespoke composition by Isobel Waller-Bridge. Real wildlife sounds of rural England were featured as Mackesy recorded the audiobook from a barn in Suffolk.