The Adventuress

Description

No one forgets Miss Cathy Fox in a hurry. From her scorpion tattoo to her other more worldly charms she's a woman on a mission to get what she wants. Leaving behind her humble beginnings folding knickers as a matron's assistant, Cathy embarks on a journey that will take her from a Portsmouth backstreet to the boardrooms of the global empires. With a cast of footballers, media moguls, lords and dukes, Coleridge charts the rise of a woman who will not be denied, right to the very pinnacle of society - a Royal Wedding.

Nicholas Coleridge is managing director of Conde Nast in Britain, the magazine publishing house that includes VOGUE, TATLER, HOUSE & GARDEN and VANITY FAIR. His previous novels include A MUCH MARRIED MAN and STREETSMART. He lives in London and is married with four children.

a sharply written yet lighthearted satire of the British elite that works by undermining expectations * GQ * The three plotlines are drawn exquisitely tightly until the satisfying resolution at the end of this indescribably pleasurable and entertaining novel, which even name checks The Lady in the final furlong. As I say, if any man were ever to steal the crown from our Jilly, in the sense that he delivers hugely readable, witty, sharp and sexy fiction, it would have to be Conde's clever Nicholas Coleridge. * THE LADY * A fast-paced, enthralling depiction of an instinctive social climber who is forced to learn the hard way that the past always catches up with you. * EASY LIVING * Coleridge's latest novel is a satirical take on our obsession with status and celebrity. Cathy Fox is a woman who will not be denied ... you'll love her brazen nerve and chutzpah. * GLAMOUR * You cannot fail to be entertained by Nicholas Coleridge's latest novel ... This clever retelling of Vanity Fair is not only hugely enjoyable but also has some spot-on social observations and splendid comic set pieces. -- Sebastian Shakespeare * TATLER * Here is a ruthless social climber in the tradition of Becky Sharp in Vanity Fair. Her success exposes the deficiencies in of the society around her and although Fox lacks any vestiges of morality, you can't help but admire her increasingly vertiginous career. Coleridge has an admirably pared-down style and an eye for the telling brand and place name, in a manner reminiscent of Tom Wolfe: few who pick up The Adventuress will be able to put it aside before they finish it. There's also much fun to be had in guessing the real figures behind its characters. * METRO * Coleridge is at the peak of his powers...and here's another juicily glamorous read * DAILY MAIL * Saucy * EVENING STANDARD * fast-paced and elegantly plotted * FINANCIAL TIMES * Coleridge gives [the novel] an edge of sardonic wit and understanding of the fragility of fame - 8* * EVENING TELEGRAPH *