Two Roads to publish Hart's memoir on starting over

John Murray Press imprint Two Roads has acquired Devorgilla Days: A Memoir of Hope and Healing by Kathleen Hart, a "heart-warming and deeply moving" memoir about recovery, resilience and starting over.

Eight years ago, Hart was diagnosed with breast cancer. Complications with her surgery led to an agonisingly protracted recovery and months spent in hospital, where she had to learn how to walk again. While recuperating, she came across a small white cottage for sale in Wigtown, book capital of Scotland. She purchased the cottage after first seeing it and named it after Devorgilla, a formidable 13th- century Scottish princess. 

Devorgilla Days will tell Hart's story and how she left behind her old life to begin again, renovating her cottage to exploring the seemingly quiet, but actually bustling town and encounteing a community of book lovers, beekeepers, artists and writers and lobster fishermen.

Publisher Lisa Highton acquired world rights from Jenny Brown Associates. Publication is slated for 27th May 2021. 

Highton said: "Kathleen is an inspiration and her quest for a simpler life will inspire many others, it’s such a pleasure to welcome her to the list and make Two Roads her other starting over home."

Hart, who has over 125,000 followers on Instagram, said: "Devorgilla Days is a memoir of recovery, resilience and having the courage to begin life again. I found by serendipity a derelict cottage in Scotland and with the help of my wonderful local community, and the support of thousands of my Instagram followers, I survived the darkest days. I chose to live life differently and hope that my story will inspire others to face and overcome their own challenges. It's never too late to start over. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Lisa and the Two Roads team, and am very excited to be on this journey with them."