Sally Rooney’s new novel is this year’s bestseller after three days, Waterstones says

Sally Rooney’s new novel is already Waterstones’ bestselling fiction title of 2021 after only three days of sales, its managing director James Daunt has said.

Daunt, who oversees the operation of more than 280 bookshops across Ireland and Britian, describes sales of the Irish author’s Beautiful World, Where Are You as incredible.

“Sales are running at double Normal People. It is a fantastic reception to the novel. We are really pleased for Sally Rooney. Our booksellers love her. She has been so generous and kind with her time and effort over the years, and everyone is really happy for her,” he says.

Waterstones operates Hodges & Figgis in Dublin and Waterstones in Cork and Drogheda. On Monday the Castlebar writer signed copies for fans at the Waterstones flagship Piccadilly store, in London, ahead of the publication.

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Daunt says the publication of the novel “has filled up the shops again and sets us up for what is a crucial time of the year, and we need a good Christmas to get us back into shape after what has been a pretty terrible 18 months”.

The manager of Hodges & Figgis, Tony Hayes, says that sales of Rooney’s novel since Tuesday morning “have been nonstop”. “They are walking out the door. We did an early-morning opening on Tuesday, and sales of the book never stopped the entire day.”