The Curious Tale of the Lady Caraboo - Softcover

Johnson, Catherine

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0552557633 ISBN 13: 9780552557634

Publisher: Corgi, 2015

Synopsis

A delicious historical romance inspired by the true story of Princess Caraboo.
     Cassandra Worrell is beautiful, rich and very, very bored. Trapped in her parents stately home, she dreams of escape. Life suddenly becomes much more interesting with the appearance of a beautiful, disorientated young woman, who speaks a mysterious language... Cassandra is convinced she's found a princess from a far away land. Could the princess hold the key to the adventure she's been seeking? Or might the escape she desires be found in the arms of the wholly inappropriate but utterly delectable local boy, Will Jenkins?

About this title

About the Author:

CATHERINE JOHNSON was born in London. Her father is Jamaican and her mother, Welsh. After studying film at St. Martin's College, London, she started a family and began to write. Catherine has been Writer in Residence at Holloway Prison, Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellow at the London Institute and has mentored writers in Africa for the British Council. She has written three books for Oxford University Press: Hero (2001), Stella (2002) and Face Value (2005). Catherine also co-wrote the screenplay for the critically acclaimed film, Bullet Boy, which starred Ashley Walters from So Solid Crew. Catherine lives in London.

Review:

"From the shocking opening to the very last page, this is the one book I really hated to put down until I was done. It's so textured . . . I also love that she's a black, or blackish, girl - so often YA does not contain them (or only as peripheral characters) - and she is such a fascinating protagonist. I also loved the skilful way Johnson turned us around on some characters. I could not ask for more in a YA novel, to be honest. I'd give it all the awards if I could" -- Bim Adewumni, YA Book Prize judge "A rich and entertaining tale which raises questions and challenges assumptions" -- Celia Rees * Armadillo * "The book has a lot to say about who we are and the pretences we put on for other people, and also about the limited chances in life that a woman had . . . The historical period comes to life well in the book, although it also has a lot to say that is relevant today." -- Carol Williams * readingzone.com * "A well researched, finely written re-imagining of an actual historical figure, The Curious Tale of The Lady Caraboo sheds light on how identity is formed and shaped by the stories we tell about ourselves and the stories, like that of the `exotic other', that are projected upon us . . . A great yarn with a beguiling central character" -- Peter Kalu, author of SILENT STRIKER

About this edition

• Publisher: Corgi
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0552557633
• ISBN 13: 9780552557634
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 288