Writers and artists urge Britain to keep Sally Rooney’s books available
Dozens of writers, artists and actors have signed an open letter urging the British government to amend legislation affecting access to Sally Rooney’s books. They call the withdrawal from sale a threat to free expression. The intervention follows Rooney’s account of legal risks linked to her intention to support the banned group Palestine Action with book proceeds. The letter appeared on 21 October.
Arts··Night
An open letter asks the government to amend the law
Dozens of writers, artists, actors and public thinkers have signed an open letter defending access to Sally Rooney’s books in Britain. Published in the New Statesman on 21 October, the letter addresses the British government and asks it to amend the legislation behind the situation affecting the books. Its signatories say the works should remain available to the public.[1], [2]
The signatories characterise the withdrawal of the books from sale as incompatible with freedom of expression. They reject censorship in both direct and indirect forms, and object to readers losing access to an author’s work in connection with the author’s beliefs and choices of support. Those judgements are the position advanced in the letter.[1], [2]
Rooney links the distribution problem to support for Palestine Action
The dispute follows Rooney’s stated intention to direct part of the proceeds from her books towards Palestine Action, a group banned by the British government. Rooney has said that fulfilling contracts for the publication of her work in Britain under these circumstances creates legal risks. The problem concerns the distribution of the books in the setting of that ban and her proposed support.[1], [2]
Rooney said Palestine Action was banned in the United Kingdom in July 2025 and that she announced her intention to continue supporting it the following month. She said the group was not banned in the Republic of Ireland. Her account of the publishing problem places her contract obligations alongside those different legal circumstances.[1]
Publisher Faber & Faber announced earlier this month that it was withdrawing Rooney’s books from British shops. Rooney said that the publisher reached the decision after consultation and with her full agreement, having concluded that it could no longer supply her work in the United Kingdom. She said she was prepared to accept the consequences of her stated beliefs and intentions.[1]
Zadie Smith and Normal People actors join the appeal
Writers Zadie Smith and Patricia Lockwood and philosopher Slavoj Žižek are among the supporters. The letter also brings together artists John Akomfrah and Ben Rivers, film director Jonathan Glazer, and actors Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones. The two actors starred in the television adaptation of Rooney’s Normal People. Writer Ben Lerner also signed the letter.[1]
