Foreshore Books Acquires UK Rights to Aurora Ruffino’s Acclaimed Italian Debut To Save the Colours

Foreshore Books has acquired the UK English-language rights to To Save the Colours, the celebrated debut novel by Italian actress and author Aurora Ruffino, in a deal that will introduce one of Italy’s most talked-about recent literary voices to English-language readers.

Originally published by Rizzoli in Italy in October 2024, To Save the Colours has already been reprinted following an exceptional response from readers and educators alike. The novel has resonated particularly strongly with young adults, prompting invitations for Ruffino to speak at schools across Italy about the book’s themes and impact.

A powerful coming-of-age story, To Save the Colours follows twenty-year-old Vanessa, who has spent her life burdened by the belief that she is responsible for her mother’s death shortly after childbirth. Raised lovingly by her grandparents but haunted by guilt and self-doubt, Vanessa becomes fascinated by butterflies—creatures that transform and survive without maternal guidance.

When she discovers the remarkable migration of the Painted Lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui), which travels thousands of miles between Northern Europe and North Africa, she embarks on a transformative journey of her own. With little money and few certainties, Vanessa leaves home and follows the butterfly’s route from Norway to Morocco, encountering friendship, first love, intimacy, loss and self-discovery along the way.

Blending emotional depth with an unforgettable travel narrative, To Save the Colours explores universal themes of identity, grief, belonging, bullying, sexuality, family, friendship and self-acceptance. At its heart is a moving story about learning to forgive oneself and finding the courage to embrace life.

Ruffino, already well known in Italy for her acting career, has long-standing ties to the UK, having lived in England for three years. Fluent in English and actively engaged with British creative communities, she is expected to play a key role in promoting the novel’s UK publication. Alongside her literary work, she continues to build an international acting career and recently completed work on a television series produced by Martin Scorsese that will also be broadcast in the UK.

The acquisition marks Ruffino’s first publication in the English-language market and represents an exciting addition to Foreshore Books’ growing list of international fiction.

To Save the Colours will be published by Foreshore Books in the UK, with publication details to be announced.