Random House Signs Borat

By Rachel Deahl -- Publishers Weekly, 5/23/2007 2:41:00 PM

After conquering Hollywood, the world's most famous Kazakh news reporter has gotten himself a book deal. Random House's Flying Dolphin Press imprint has signed a book, as the publisher claims, by Borat Sagdiyev. Although Borat is a fictional character created by comic Sacha Baron Cohen--the star of the recent box office hit Borat: Cultural Learnings of Americace for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan is notorious for going to extreme lengths to stay in character--Random House spokesperson Alison Rich, when pressed on who will actually be writing the book, would only say that "the author byline will be Borat Sagdiyev."

The forthcoming title, which is scheduled to drop on November 6, 2007, will go by two names: Borat: Touristic Guidings To Minor Nation of U.S. and A. and Borat: Touristic Guidings To Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. According to Rich both lengthy monikers will appear on the book's cover jacket and the material will be new, not tied-in to the film. Intended as a faux tourist guide introducing Americans to Kazakhstan and vice versa, the book will feature photographs, text and illustrations.