Seth's 'A Suitable Girl' moves to Orion

Orion has taken on publication of Vikram Seth's new novel, A Suitable Girl - a sequel to his book A Suitable Boy – previously signed to Penguin.
A publication date has been set for 2016.

The publisher has also reacquired rights to A Suitable Boy and will republish it this year to mark its 20th anniversary, as well as releasing it as an e-book for the first time.

A Suitable Girl was initially bought by  imprint Hamish Hamilton, but reports earlier this year stated that Seth had been asked to return a  $1.7m advance paid by Penguin because of delays in producing the manuscript.

Agent David Godwin was quoted at the time as saying: "It would be unfair to say the deal has been called off. Vikram has been known to take his time with his books. Our aim is to settle this new date with Hamish."

Godwin was unavailable for comment today, after signing UK and Commonwealth (not Canada or India) rights to Malcolm Edwards, deputy c.e.o. and publisher of Orion Publishing Group.

Orion originally published A Suitable Boy in 1993, one of the largest single-volume novels ever published. The book, set in post-independence India, follows four families and an attempt to find Lata Mehra a suitable boy to marry. The sequel will follow Lata's grandchildren and present-day events.

Seth said: "Twenty years ago, Orion, who were then quite a new publisher, took a risk and brought out A Suitable Boy.  It is entirely in the fitness of things that A Suitable Girl will be joining her companion. And for my part, it is a great pleasure to be home again."

Kirsty Dunseath, publishing director at Weidenfeld & Nicolson said: "The scope of his creative vision is truly impressive and on a personal level it will be a privilege to work with him as he brings his Suitable Girl to life."

Penguin declined to comment.

Pictured: Seth celebrates with David Young, chief executive of the Orion Publishing Group.