Hesperus Press signs Tearne

Hesperus Press has acquired the latest novel by Sri Lankan novelist Roma Tearne, who was previously published by HarperCollins and Little, Brown.

Sorcha McDonagh, editor at Hesperus Press, signed the book, titled The Last Pier, from Broo Doherty of DHH Literary Agency.

McDonagh said: “I’m thrilled to have acquired this stunning book. Beautifully written and with a haunting story, it’s really a rare gem”.

The Last Pier deals with the personal and emotional impact that the sinking of the Arandora Star, which was torpedoed in 1940 on its way to Canada resulting in the loss of more than 800 prisoners of war and refugees on board, had on survivors and relatives. It was inspired by real 1940s photographs Tearne found in a second-hand shop with names and dates scribbled on the back. When she found different photographs of the same family elsewhere she felt compelled to create a story about them.

Tearne’s debut novel Mosquito (HarperCollins) was shortlisted for the Costa Prize and she has since been longlisted for the Orange Prize in 2011 for The Swimmer (HarperPress) and the Asian Man Booker in 2012 for The Road to Urbino (Little, Brown).

Hesperus will publish The Last Pier under the Hesperus Nova imprint in 2015 to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the sinking of the Arandora Star.