Ultimo acquires Goode debut novel

Ultimo Press has acquired world rights to Melissa Goode’s debut novel Ordinary Human Love.

Ordinary Human Love follows Mardi McKee, prodigal daughter, who returns to her father’s home in Lithgow after eighteen months overseas. Mardi’s previous life is a memory: her mother has died, she is divorced, and she is estranged from her former lover, Ian, whom she left at dawn before he awoke, with no explanation, only months after ending her marriage. On a quest for Ian’s forgiveness, Mardi finds that the repair she is hoping for in this relationship is not so easily found.

‘I wanted to write about the aftermath of loss, when a person is striving to recreate a life,’ said Goode. ‘Ordinary Human Love is the story of Mardi who tries to rebuild her life, one she wants rather than one expected of her. Fundamentally, it is a love story about people coming together despite their history. They must both be courageous, because how else do we entrust ourselves to the real risks that love presents?’

Ultimo publisher Alex Craig said Goode’s debut is ‘deeply absorbing’. ‘Ordinary Human Love delves into the secrets at the heart of marriage, between lovers, parents and children, and within ourselves,’ said Craig. ‘Melissa is an extraordinary talent and I’m thrilled to be publishing her first novel.’

Ultimo will publish Ordinary Human Love in May 2024.

Category: Local news Rights and acquisitions