You are viewing your 1 free article this month. Login to read more articles.
Century has acquired a second book from Sir David Jason which it is terming a new autobiography: My Lives, to publish in October 2017 in time for the Christmas market.
The book follows Jason’s 2013 original autobiography My Life (Cornerstone), which went on to win the 2013 National Specsavers Book of the Year and, according to PRH, sold over half a million copies in all editions. According to Nielsen, it sold 406,416 copies in hardback, worth £4m, and 89,950 in paperback.
The Cornerstone imprint is placing its hopes in My Lives as "one of the very biggest books of the year". In it, Jason will focus on the characters he has played as an actor, including Del Boy in "Only Fools and Horses" and Pop Larkin in "The Darling Buds of May", looking back over 50 years of a life television.
Century will publish alongside a major BBC documentary about "Only Fools and Horses", one of the most-watched programmes in British television, and a TV retrospective on Jason’s career.
Jason said: "In my first book, I enjoyed sharing my life with the great British public, and I was overwhelmed by their support and kindness. In my new book, My Lives, I am delighted to share the story of the many other lives I have lived – my characters from Del Boy to Granville, Pop Larkin to Detective Inspector Frost. Looking back at over 50 years in television, I hope this book will take readers behind the scenes and under the skins of some of my favourite acts and moments. I’ve relived the laughs that have made it all so special and I’ve reflected on how these characters have changed my life, too. I can’t wait for the book to be published this Christmas, and I am thrilled to be working with the Century team once again."
Brusey says: "We are honoured to be publishing David’s brilliant new book. Told with his characteristic charm and wit, he shines a wonderful new light on his beloved characters. The result is every bit as funny and poignant as his greatest performances. I know it will delight David’s millions of fans and will be one of the very biggest books of the year."
The world rights deal was struck between Ben Brusey, deputy publisher of Century and Jason's agent Meg Poole. Century will publish in hardback in October 2017 with an Arrow paperback the following year. It will also be published in e-book and audiobook.