Wait's 'stiletto-sharp' literary novel landed by riverrun

Rebecca Wait’s "stiletto-sharp story of sibling misunderstandings” has been picked up by riverrun. 

Publisher Jon Riley acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Caroline Hardman of Hardman & Swainson for I’m Sorry You Feel That Way. It is slated for release in July 2022. 

The book is billed as “a compelling domestic comedy about complex family dynamics, mental health and the intricacies of sibling relationships”. It follows two sisters, Alice and Hanna, who are typecast as saint and sinner. Their mother takes a divide and conquer approach to child-rearing, and their father, an absent one. Their older brother Michael’s disapproval is a force to be reckoned with and there is the catastrophe that is never spoken of, but which has shaped everything. 

“As adults, Alice and Hanna negotiate increasingly complicated family tensions, finding themselves in situations that are often absurd and hilarious but always acutely and often movingly written,” riverrun said. 

Riley said: "The entire riverrun team fell precipitously for Rebecca Wait’s stiletto-sharp story of sibling misunderstandings, parental failures and family fractures. It shows Wait as one of the most gifted British novelists of her generation."

Wait added: “I’m delighted to be published by riverrun again. Jon and the whole team were fantastic to work with on Our Fathers and I’m so pleased I’m Sorry You Feel That Way will have such a talented and passionate team behind it.” 

Hardman commented : “I’m delighted riverrun will be publishing Rebecca’s stunning literary novel I’m Sorry You Feel That Way, and look forward to working with Jon, Jasmine and the team to continue to build Rebecca's career as a novelist of note.” 

Wait is the author of three novels, including Our Fathers (rivverun), which has been selected as a Waterstones paperback of the year for 2021 as well as The View on the Way Down and The Followers, both published by Picador.