Isobel Dixon of Blake Friedmann is delighted to announce the sale of Charles Lambert's new novel ANY HUMAN FACE to Sam Humphreys of Picador.

In 2008 Picador published Charles Lambert's debut novel LITTLE MONSTERS, a novel about damage and displacement set in Italy and post World War II England, which was described by John Harding in the Daily Mail as 'beautifully written and crafted, and more compelling than many thrillers.' LITTLE MONSTERS is now out in paperback.  Charles Lambert's short story collection, A SCENT OF CINNAMON, whose title story won an O. Henry Prize in the US, was published in the UK by Salt, also in 2008.

Now Charles Lambert follows this with a stunning novel about courage and loneliness, set against the background of contemporary Rome, with all its majesty and murkiness, culture and corruption. The title refers to a quote from Marilynne Robinson's novel GILEAD:  'Any human face is a claim on you, because you can't help but understand the singularity of it, the courage and loneliness of it.'

Sam Humphreys of Picador says: 'ANY HUMAN FACE is an intensely visceral novel about sex, art and death set in a shady, seedy Rome quite unlike the city the tourists see. It's accomplished and compelling and the final page left me feeling completely stunned. I'm thrilled to have acquired it.'

Charles Lambert was born in Lichfield, United Kingdom, in 1953. He now lives in Fondi, between Rome and Naples.

With shades of THE CUTTING ROOM, ANY HUMAN FACE is the first of three planned novels set in Rome. Picador will publish in early 2010.

Praise for Charles Lambert:

'Charles Lambert is a seriously good writer.' - Beryl Bainbridge

'Compelling reading.' - Patricia Duncker

'Charles Lambert writes as if his life depends on it. He takes risks at every turn.' -
Hannah Tinti

'A very interesting writer who could one day attain classic status.' - Maggie Gee

For rights enquiries, contact Isobel Dixon: isobel@blakefriedmann.co.uk

Click here to see the Bookseller deal report.

Charles' website with more information about him is here and his blog can be found here

For Charles' BFLA author page click here