Story perspectives

Faber & Faber Stops Supplying Sally Rooney in UK

By Drooid · Oct 18, 2026, 6:14 PM UTC · How we work

Left

Artistic Freedom Threatened

Faber & Faber announced on 15 October 2026 that it will stop supplying Sally Rooney’s novels to United Kingdom bookshops.
Labour MPs Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell condemned the ban, calling it an absurd consequence of the proscription.
Rooney said she will donate royalties from her books and TV adaptations to Palestine Action.
Amnesty International UK warned the case could chill artistic freedom and peaceful dissent.

Right

Royalty Dispute Unconscionable

On 15 October 2026, publisher Faber & Faber announced it will stop supplying Sally Rooney’s novels to United Kingdom bookshops.
Rooney cancelled a planned award ceremony visit to Britain, saying she feared possible arrest.
Faber called selling books without remitting royalties unconscionable and said it had Rooney’s agreement.
Waterstones said retailers can continue selling copies already in stock.
Rooney submitted a statement supporting a challenge to terrorist designation, saying it threatens expression.

Center

Donation Ban Fallout

Faber & Faber announced on 15 October 2026 that Sally Rooney’s novels will no longer be supplied to UK bookshops.
Rooney confirmed she agreed to the withdrawal and said she will accept the consequences of her public support for Palestine Action.
Faber said UK law blocks payments because Rooney plans to donate them to Palestine Action.
Palestine Action was proscribed by the UK in July 2025 following a break-in at RAF Brize Norton.

History

Historical Context

The 1988 release of Salman Rushdie’s *The Satanic Verses* sparked protests, notably a 7,000-person book burning in Bolton (2 Dec 1988) and a 10,000-person rally in Islamabad (12 Feb 1989), prompting the British Conservative government under Margaret Thatcher to give Rushdie police protection. The 2026 Faber & Faber halt of Sally Rooney’s novels echoes that earlier state-driven censorship.

1 of 4

Artistic Freedom Threatened

Faber & Faber announced on 15 October 2026 that it will stop supplying Sally Rooney’s novels to United Kingdom bookshops.
Labour MPs Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell condemned the ban, calling it an absurd consequence of the proscription.
Rooney said she will donate royalties from her books and TV adaptations to Palestine Action.
Amnesty International UK warned the case could chill artistic freedom and peaceful dissent.

1 / 4