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Barrington Stoke signs 'hard-hitting' novella from Rai
Barrington Stoke has signed A Sudden Storm, a "hard-hitting" teen novella about racial intolerance from Bali Rai.
Ailsa Bathgate acquired world rights directly from the author. The novella will be published on 5th October 2023 as part of the publisher’s super-readable format for readers aged 13 and over.
A Sudden Storm follows Arjan on his 16th birthday out celebrating with his friends. The synopsis continues: "But the night comes to a dramatic and violent end when Arjan is targeted by a group of racist thugs, who single him out due to the colour of his skin and the turban that he wears as a symbol of his commitment to his faith and culture. Is the life of a good friend and beloved son really worth so little?"
It is a "devastating portrayal of systemic racism that will stay with the reader long after they have finished the final chapter".
Rai commented: "A Sudden Storm is a fictional tale, with fictional characters, but it was inspired by the tragic story of Ricky Reel, a young man from Greater London who disappeared in October 1997, aged 20. He and his friends were racially abused and attacked in Kingston upon Thames before Ricky vanished. His body was discovered a week later in the River Thames. I want to encourage readers to think about the themes within the book, and to ask questions about where prejudice comes from. Where does such hatred lead, and what are the consequences for those who fall victim, their friends and their families? I believe that stories are vital tools for challenging prejudice in every form, and in promoting better understanding and empathy for our fellow human beings."
Bathgate added: "Bali has delivered a sensitive and thought-provoking account of a senseless tragedy, with the loss of a life that was so full of potential. It is an important addition to the list that I am sure will affect our readers deeply."
