Doubleday to publish new title from author of The Travelling Cat Chronicles
Doubleday has acquired The Passengers on the Hankyu Line by Hiro Arikawa, the author of The Travelling Cat Chronicles (Doubleday).
Publishing director Jane Lawson acquired world English-language rights from Li Kangqin at New River Agency on behalf of Kohei Hattori at the English Agency and Gentosha, Japan. Translation rights have been sold to 17 territories, while North American rights were sold by the Penguin rights team to Penguin Random House (PRH) Berkley.
Doubleday will publish in B-format hardback on 5th June, alongside PRH Berkley.
"Set on the scenic railway between Osaka and Kyoto and famous for its vintage-maroon railway cars, The Passengers on the Hankyu Line tells of the intersecting lives of five local characters as they commute one morning in spring," the synopsis says. "Closure for each of them comes on the same journey in reverse in autumn six months later."
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Lawson said: "This understatedly witty and philosophical novel perfectly shows why Arikawa is such a worldwide fan favourite – her genius for elevating unremarkable lives into compelling drama with such empathy and insight is hard to imitate. This book, set against such an attractive landscape where the author herself lives, is an authentic classic for Japan fans."
Transworld is publishing two special editions for international retailers and Waterstones, as well as offering signed book plates and POS showcasing the features of the Hankyu Line carriages.
Kangqin says: "I’m delighted that the charming Hankyu Line, and its characterful passengers, have finally arrived in the UK. I know Jane Lawson and her brilliant team at Transworld are the perfect home for this beloved Japanese literary phenomenon."
Arikawa added: "What kinds of people board the same train together? Look around and you will also find fragments of stories on your train!"
