The Bookseller.com

8th September 2008

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Random rushes Enright reprint

17.10.07 Tom Tivnan

Random House is rushing through a 50,000 copy reprint for Anne Enright's The Gathering following its Man Booker Prize win last night.

The Gathering had sold 3,306 through Bookscan to 13th of October, but imprint Jonathan Cape says it has sold in 35,000 copies worldwide. Cape is printing an additional 50,000 copies this week, which it anticipates will be in the shops by the end of the week. Asked if The Gathering could equal last year's winner Kiran Desai's The Inheritance of Loss, which has sold 140,000 copies in all editions, Random House Group sales director Gary Pryor said: "Absolutely. We're thrilled that The Gathering has won. The Man Booker is always going to give a boost and we have had orders pouring in."

But booksellers are undecided over whether the public will warm to a book described as "depressing" though "very readable and enjoyable" by Booker chair Howard Davies.

Jonathan Ruppin, spokesman for Foyles, said: "Not everyone will be comfortable with this bleak account of conflict and despair, but the writing is undeniably exquisite. The judges' decision is a welcome boost for serious literature."

Enright has previously written a book of short stories, three novels and a collection of essays, all for Cape. Another story collection is due to be published in 2008.

Gail Rebuck, RHG c.e.o., said: "Anne's win is particularly special given we have been working with her since she was a fledgling author. It is extremely gratifying to see her work recognised at such a high level within the literary world."

tom tivnan Random House The Booker Prize Anne Enright