Pushkin Press snaps up Manon Uphoff's autobiographical novel

Pushkin Press has bought Dutch literary bestseller by Manon Uphoff, a novel based on her own childhood experience of an abusive father.

Daniel Seton, commissioning editor at Pushkin Press, has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights excluding Canada to Falling is Like Flying. The "dark, sensitive, overwhelming” autobiographical novel was bought from Paul Sebes at the Sebes & Bisseling Literary Agency. Pushkin will publish in spring 2021. 

Pushkin said of the Dutch writer and artist's fourth novel: “In Falling is Like Flying she recreates a childhood lived in the shadow of an abusive father with verve, brilliance and originality, resulting in what critics have called ‘starry sky of stylistic invention’, hailing her ability to find ‘the language for a story that is almost impossible to tell’." The book been nominated for the Bookspot and Opzij Prizes.

Seton said: “Falling is Like Flying is a remarkable book written with a fierce energy and intelligence, that talks about a terrible subject in a new and very powerful way. People in the Netherlands are calling it one the best books they’ve ever read. I can’t wait to see the reaction in the UK.”

Sebes said: “As I’ve said many times before, Manon Uphoff really deserves to be read outside of the Netherlands as well. She and I are delighted that this book will find its way to an English reading audience thanks to Pushkin Press and Daniel Seton.”