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Quercus has acquired The Lick of Love, a second instalment of memoir by comedian Julian Clary, told through his relationship with his beloved dogs.
Editorial director Jane Sturrock bought UK and Commonwealth rights from Mandy Ward at Mandy Ward Artist Management.
Clary's first memoir A Young Man's Passage was published by Ebury Press in 2005.
The publisher explains: "Wherever life has taken him, Julian Clary has had a dog by his side. Fanny the Wonder Dog, who came into his life when he was somewhat adrift, propelled him up the ranks of the alternative comedy circuit and onto television. Valerie, the whippet cross-breed escorted Julian through his forties, the Germaine Greer to his Bernard Manning. Albert, a jaunty geezer type who was sent to acclimatise Julian to middle age and helped him seduce his now husband, before being joined by naughty but nice Gigi, an unpredictable fur bullet of a dog. These canine characters have been there, bearing witness, on and off stage... Ultimately, The Lick of Love is the story of a fascinating life and a love letter to the dogs that have played a loving and near constant part of it."
Sturrock said: "I loved A Young Man’s Passage when it was first published in 2005 and have been badgering Julian to write a book to pick up where that left off— there’s certainly no shortage of things to say! The Lick of Love is a memoir told through his relationship with his dogs, each of whom has had their special part to play, and it is every bit as entertaining, funny and filthy as I’d hoped."
Clary commented: "I am thrilled to the marrow to have my second memoir published by the discerning folk at Quercus Books. The Lick of Love is, if you will, an autobi-dog-raphy, and tells the tale of how my canine companions have guided me and helped me through a fun and frisky life."
As well as his earlier memoir, Clary is also the author of three novels and children's series The Bolds (Andersen Press).