NEW YORK—Leanne Shapton’s new book has been picked up by Alliance Atlantis to be adapted into a romantic comedy starring Brad Pitt and Natalie Portman.
 

The Canadian ex-pat’s latest novel, Important Artifacts and Personal Property From the Collection of Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris, Including Books, Street Fashion and Jewelry, is a fictional auction catalogue that tells the unique story of a failed love affair, told through the personal effects and memorabilia the couple have collected throughout their relationship.


This is Shapton’s second work of fiction. The author/illustrator launched her debut book, Was She Pretty?, in November 2006. Through short vignettes and elegant line drawings, it explores similar themes of sexual jealousy.

The Mississauga, Ont.-native is a former art director of Saturday Night magazine and the National Post. Now a resident of New York, Shapton has contributed illustrations to New York Magazine, The New Yorker, Harper's, The New York Times Magazine, The New York Times Book Review, Condé Nast Traveler, Jane, Talk, and Departures. She is currently art director of the New York Times op-ed page. Shapton and photographer Jason Fulford are also co-founders of J&L Books, a non-profit publisher of new art and writing.

Shapton is currently working on her next project, a book of paintings for Montreal-based publisher Drawn & Quarterly. Contact: leanneshapton.com