New Diana Evans to Chatto

Chatto & Windus has acquired rights to the new "quirky" novel by Diana Evans, a portrait of London and a study of modern relationships and identity called Ordinary People. 

Poppy Hampson, editorial director at Chatto & Windus, acquired UK and Commonwealth (excluding Canada) rights from Clare Alexander at Aitken Alexander Associates to publish in March 2018. 

Following Chatto's publication of both her novels 26a in 2005, which won the inaugural Orange Award for New Writers, and The Wonder in 2009, Evans said she was convinced Ordinary People "could not be in better hands". 

The book is described as "an intimate and immersive novel about being a grown-up, and the moments of reckoning that threaten to unravel us", framed by Barack Obama’s historic election victory and the death of Michael Jackson, full of music and the sounds of the city.

Alexander said: "It’s been some time since the last novel from Diana Evans, so I am thrilled that she has returned with a novel that not only captures the UK now in all its diversity, but that also displays her uniquely immersive story-telling magic and her ability to conjure characters who feel so real you would know them if they walked into the room."

Hampson added: "I can’t remember the last time I read a writer who captures the dynamic between couples quite as well as Diana Evans does – Ordinary People is warm, quirky, and gets right up close to the emotional truth of the characters’ lives and relationships. This is a novel you will want to share, with your best friend and your partner. We are thrilled to be publishing it."