Scribe has acquired the debut novel by Simón López Trujillo, The Vast Territories. It explores late-stage capitalism and the effect of the climate crisis on the global south through the story of a eucalyptus-farm worker who falls ill and begins making strange pronouncements, attracting a congregation of devotees.
The novel is the winner of the Santiago de Chile Literary Prize, and the author is a MacDowell Fellow and winner of the Robert Bolaño Award for another work-in-progress.
These Vast Territories was acquired by Scribe's Australian Publisher, Marika Webb-Pullman, who said: 'This slim book asks its big questions in disquieting and lyrical prose, exploring environmental degradation, Indigenous dispossession, and the dire consequences of late-stage capitalism. It's profound and poetic, blending speculative fiction with a touch of horror, and Robin Myers’ translation promises to be superb. We are thrilled to be part of bringing it to English-language readers.'
The novel arrives with a host of endorsements, including from Booker International-shortlstee Alia Trabucco Zerán, who said, ‘It gathers unforgettable words and images, transporting us to the open (opening) wound in our vast and devastated territory. An exceptional debut,' and Booker International-shortlistee Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, who said, ‘We were needing this and it's here … Mindblowing.’
Rights were acquired from Sandra Pareja at Massie & McQuilkin. North American rights were acquired at auction by Madeline Jones at Algonquin.
These Vast Territories will be published in the UK in 2026.
For publicity enquiries, contact Adam Howard at adam[at]scribepub.co.uk.
For rights enquiries, please contact Sandra Pareja at sandr[at]mmqlit.com.