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Weidenfeld & Nicolson has acquired one of the hotly-tipped books of London Book Fair, Golden Boy by Abigail Tarttelin, signing a six-figure, pre-emptive two-book deal.
Deputy publishing director Arzu Tahsin bought UK and Commonwealth rights from Jo Unwin at Conville and Walsh, having first read the manuscript overnight last Tuesday, with publication scheduled for May 2013.
The book's main character is "golden boy" Max Walker, seemingly leading the perfect life. However, his family is to come under more scrutiny as his father runs for election to Parliament, and Max is hiding a secret.
Tahsin said: "I can't stop thinking about this wonderful novel; it is very hard to move on from. Golden Boy has all the ingredients of bestselling literary fiction; a great story, beautifully told. It has stayed and stayed with me." She added: "It will have you weeping."
Tartellin's first book, Flick, was published by Beautiful Books.