Daunt Books Publishing has acquired thirteen books by Beryl Bainbridge. Publisher Marigold Atkey acquired UK & Commonwealth rights from Ed Wilson at Johnson & Alcock. All thirteen titles are already available as eBooks, while from March 2026, two books a year will be published into a striking new look designed by Jack Smyth. The two launching the series are An Awfully Big Adventure, with a new introduction by Yiyun Li, and The Bottle Factory Outing, with a new introduction by A. K. Blakemore. Among the other titles acquired are The Birthday Boys, Harriet Said . . . and Injury Time.
Atkey says: ‘Beryl Bainbridge was shortlisted five times for the Booker and in her lifetime, admired by some of the best writers around, from Margaret Atwood to John Banville, with Hilary Mantel citing her as the writer she admired most. Her writing’s brilliance has far from faded with time: when I first read her, I couldn’t believe how good she was, I resented reading other books, I just wanted to spend time with Bainbridge’s sly wit, unnerving darkness and sharp-edged, ruthless intelligence. I know many others will feel the same and I’m so excited for Daunt to be introducing Bainbridge to this whole new generation of readers.’
Beryl Bainbridge’s estate say: ‘The family are delighted to be working with Daunt to bring Beryl’s classic novels to a new generation of readers and look forward to this exciting new chapter. In Beryl’s honour, there will be a free bottle of whiskey and a packet of fags for one lucky reader . . .’
Ed Wilson of Johnson & Alcock says: ‘Johnson & Alcock was Beryl’s one and only agency, and she was one of our most-loved clients – we’re proud to relaunch her backlist with Marigold and Daunt. Her writing was always ahead of its time, and her work is the very definition of ‘modern classic’ – smart, funny, dark, and completely original. With her centenary approaching in 2032, now is the perfect time for the world to rediscover the unique magic of Beryl Bainbridge.’