Orenda signs 'magical' debut from German schoolteacher Arenz

Orenda Books has signed German school teacher Ewald Arenz’s "magical" debut novel Tasting Sunlight.

Karen Sullivan acquired world English language rights from Judith Habermas at Dumont in a two-book deal. Tasting Sunlight will be translated by Rachel Ward and published in summer 2022. A second book with the working title One Summer is due to be published in 2023. 

Sullivan said: "Tasting Sunlight is a magical book, mysterious, simply written yet beautifully complex – a book that feels so right for current times, with meaningful themes of friendship across generations, of connection between people and with nature, of healing and hope. I first heard about this book at the last physical Frankfurt [book fair], and I have been unable to get it out of my mind – even more so during lockdown and our enforced isolation – and the fact that school teacher Ewald’s debut has sold over 100,000 copies in his native Germany is testament to its power."

The book tells the story of an unusual friendship that develops between two very different women. Angry teenager Sally has just run away from a clinic where she was to be treated for anorexia, and she comes across Liss, a woman in her 40s, running a large farm on her own. From their first encounter, Sally realises that Liss is different from the other grown-ups in her life. Liss expects nothing of Sally and simply accepts who she is, offering her a bed for the night with no questions asked.

The publisher said: "The overnight stay extends into weeks, as these two damaged women slowly open up – connecting to each other and reconnecting with themselves through their shared work on the land, tending bees, picking fruit, digging the earth, turning over their lives, their past traumas, as they turn the soil. This is an evocative, atmospheric book – sensual – bursting with smells and tastes, the heavy summer heat, and the goodness of fresh air; it’s achingly beautiful, profound, invigorating and uplifting, and an absolutely perfect fit for our list. We are so happy to welcome Ewald to Team Orenda."

Arenz added: "I am more than happy to find my book published with Orenda Books. It feels a bit like having found a very familiar, friendly and beautiful home for my story. As an independent publisher, Orenda Books is definitely a lucky strike for a German author and I am looking forward to seeing my book published in such good company."