Famed for its illustrated books on art, design and fashion to travel, food and popular culture, Rizzoli New York has during the past several years published a limited number of titles under the Ex Libris name. These books feature narrative nonfiction and the occasional novel--"reading books," as they're referred to in Rizzoli vernacular. This fall, the company is offering its first formal Ex Libris list.
|
|
| Rizzoli v-p and publisher Charles Miers (photo: Stephen Pan) | |
Success with Ex Libris books already published combined with strong sales and distribution backing by Random House helped influence the decision to expand Ex Libris. "We were looking at diversification options, and based on those two factors we decided it was an avenue we should explore," Charles Miers, v-p and publisher, explained. "An added impetus was that more and more of these kinds of books were coming our way."
Senior editor Alessandra Lusardi added: "There are narrative stories dying to be told and translated and published for this very passionate readership that Rizzoli knows how to reach."
Ex Libris books are sourced from RCS Libri, its parent company in Milan, Italy, and other overseas publishers, as well as acquired from U.S. agents and authors. Like Rizzoli's illustrated lines, Ex Libris has an international flair, with titles by authors writing in English, Italian and French. "It doesn't matter what language they're originally written in, there are stories out there that people want to read," Lusardi said.
A major title on the Ex Libris fall list that illustrates the qualities of Ex Libris is Umberto Eco's The Book of Legendary Lands. Lusardi called this journey through literature's iconic imaginary worlds from the author of The Name of the Rose "the perfect Ex Libris book. It's a unique blend of scholarship, storytelling and beautiful art." (See below for more on The Book of Legendary Lands and other Ex Libris fall titles.)
Another upcoming Ex Libris offering is The Consolations of the Forest: Alone in a Cabin on the Siberian Taiga by Sylvain Tesson, a French writer Lusardi whom places "squarely in the tradition of Bruce Chatwin or Patrick Leigh Fermor. He's a travel writer, yes, but in this book he's sitting still, and to do it in a place like Siberia is completely fascinating. Although it takes place in this incredibly desolate part of the world, it's so full of life. He is one of the most brilliant observers of nature that I have ever read."
She also mentioned The Many Lives of Miss K: Toto Koopman--Model, Muse, Spy by Jean-Noël Liaut: "You would think it's fiction, but it's all true. Her life really was the juiciest kind of novel," said Lusardi.
Ex Libris will also publish The Reach of Rome: A Journey Through the Lands of the Ancient Empire, Following a Coin by Alberto Angela, a popular host of historical programs in Italy, whose "cinematic" writing makes the Roman Empire come alive for readers. A cross-continental endeavor is Connecticut journalist and lawyer Dial Parrott's The Genius of Venice: Piazza San Marco and the Making of the Republic.
Although text, not visual elements, is the main focus, some Ex Libris offerings showcase illustrations and photographs. "These books maintain Rizzoli's high sense of quality in the way they're produced," noted Miers. "They'll be books that people purchase for themselves but also very much as gifts for others."