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Sally Rooney book withdrawal UK

The legal landscape for publishing has shifted in a way that forces Sally Rooney to pull her books from UK sales. The writer behind Normal People and Conversations with Friends says this move is necessary because of her support for Palestine Action. A statement given to The Guardian outlines the timeline: In July 2025, the direct-action protest group Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK. The following month, I wrote an opinion piece expressing my intention to go on supporting Palestine Action, which is not a proscribed or otherwise prohibited group here in the Republic of Ireland. That distinction matters because fulfilling contracts to publish my work in the UK could now constitute a serious criminal offence. After a process of consultation and deliberation, and with my full agreement, my publisher Faber has therefore determined that it can no longer supply my work within the UK. This isn't just a business decision; it is a direct result of the law clashing with personal beliefs. Rooney notes she has made every effort to be honest with the public about her beliefs and intentions, and she is wholly prepared to accept the consequences. The situation leaves no room for compromise once a group is designated as a terrorist organization by the state. Even if the group remains legal elsewhere, like in the Republic of Ireland, the specific rules in the UK create a barrier that cannot be crossed without risking criminal liability. Faber's determination follows the author's own admission that continuing to sell there would violate the terms set by the government designation. It marks a rare moment where political stance directly dictates book availability in a major market. The author stands by her choice to support the group despite the financial and commercial fallout. There is no ambiguity in the statement regarding the cause or the outcome. theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/oct/14/sally-rooney-says-she-ca…

1h

Jgrao@Jgrao

Follow

Sally Rooney book withdrawal UK

The legal landscape for publishing has shifted in a way that forces Sally Rooney to pull her books from UK sales. The writer behind Normal People and Conversations with Friends says this move is necessary because of her support for Palestine Action. A statement given to The Guardian outlines the timeline: In July 2025, the direct-action protest group Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK. The following month, I wrote an opinion piece expressing my intention to go on supporting Palestine Action, which is not a proscribed or otherwise prohibited group here in the Republic of Ireland. That distinction matters because fulfilling contracts to publish my work in the UK could now constitute a serious criminal offence. After a process of consultation and deliberation, and with my full agreement, my publisher Faber has therefore determined that it can no longer supply my work within the UK. This isn't just a business decision; it is a direct result of the law clashing with personal beliefs. Rooney notes she has made every effort to be honest with the public about her beliefs and intentions, and she is wholly prepared to accept the consequences. The situation leaves no room for compromise once a group is designated as a terrorist organization by the state. Even if the group remains legal elsewhere, like in the Republic of Ireland, the specific rules in the UK create a barrier that cannot be crossed without risking criminal liability. Faber's determination follows the author's own admission that continuing to sell there would violate the terms set by the government designation. It marks a rare moment where political stance directly dictates book availability in a major market. The author stands by her choice to support the group despite the financial and commercial fallout. There is no ambiguity in the statement regarding the cause or the outcome. theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/oct/14/sally-rooney-says-she-ca…

1h