Firefinch pre-empts novel from Marc Levy, the most read French author in the world

LIVE. READ. RESIST.

“This novel is as brilliant as it is important. It reminds us all that books can save the world.” ELLE

Kate Parkin, MD of Firefinch, has acquired UK and Commonwealth English language rights in The Bookshop of Forbidden Books by Marc Levy. The deal was brokered by Susanna Lea, of Susanna Lea Associates. Firefinch is planning to publish in November 2026 and promises a trade-wide marketing and PR campaign to highlight the power of words and the importance of freedom of speech.

Already a bestseller in France, with over 280,000 copies sold, The Bookshop of Forbidden Books is a brilliant and thought-provoking comedy, a love story, and a tribute to the transformative power of literature. Set in Paris in a dystopian near future, it tells the story of Mitch, a passionate bookseller, imprisoned for five years for selling banned books. Mitch just wants to go back to his bookshop, but on the day of his release, he not only crosses paths with the man who put him behind bars, but meets Anna, who could well be the love of his life…Brimming with charm, tenderness and humanity, but underpinned by a determination to celebrate and defend literature wherever it is under threat, The Bookshop of Forbidden Books will capture the hearts of book lovers everywhere.

Marc Levy is the author of 26 books, which have been translated into over 50 languages and sold over 50 million copies worldwide. During the 2020 lockdown, Amazon reported that the two most-read French authors in the U.S. were Albert Camus and Marc Levy.

Marc Levy says: ‘When I was young books played a pivotal role in my education. They opened my mind, taught me to appreciate our differences rather than fear them, helped me understand other cultures and develop compassion. Reading has been the cornerstone of my life. I now live in a country where tens of thousands of books have been banned, where the shelves of public and school libraries grow increasingly bare. The Bookshops of Forbidden Books was born out of a lifelong love of bookshops and a deep admiration for generations of booksellers—those who have shaped our tastes and defied restrictive laws to offer readers access to great writers. Publishers, too, can be bold. I’m thrilled to be part of the Firefinch launch list. To join a new publisher at the very start of its journey is a true joy.’

Kate Parkin said: ‘I defy any book lover not to fall in love with this novel. Marc Levy’s passion for books and the power of words leaps off the page. At a time when many authors and booksellers live under the threat of censorship, The Bookshop of Forbidden Books is a reminder of what we all stand to lose in a world in which others seek to control what we read. We are very proud to publish this charming and powerful book on our launch list in 2026 and look forward to joining with friends and colleagues across the trade in a campaign to highlight the issue of banned books.’

French rights: Robert Laffont
Translation rights: Susanna Lea Associates
US rights: HarperCollins