Picador signs "astonishing" Rebecca Wait

Picador has acquired a debut novel by a 24-year-old UK author in a "closely fought" auction.

Editorial director Francesca Main bought UK and Commonwealth rights to two books by Rebecca Wait through Caroline Hardman at Christopher Little, with Little, Brown the underbidder. The first title, The View on the Way Down, is set to be published in a lead debut slot by Picador in April 2013.  

The book is the story of a family struggling to move on from the death of eldest son, Kit, five years earlier. Younger sister Emma seeks solace in food and Jesus as she remains unaware of what really happened to Kit, and elder brother Jamie, living estranged from his parents, continues to struggle to face the truth.

Main said: "The View on the Way Down is a novel of astonishing emotional force—it has set hearts alight and moved readers to tears throughout the Picador team. It is heartbreaking yet ultimately redemptive, and an uplifting testament to the power of brotherly love."