One of our Books of the Year 2016 | February 2016 Debut of the Month
Fresh, funny and with the best teen voice since Geek Girl, this debut novel deserves a huge round of applause. It follows fifteen-year old Elektra, eager thespian and newly signed up with a theatrical agent. The acting world of auditions, call-backs and pushy stage mothers offers great material for comedy – co-author Honor Cargill, herself only a teenager, has direct experience apparently and it certainly feels very real, and no less funny for that. Just as good are the descriptions of Elektra’s home and school life, the usual mix of lessons, tricky negotiations with parents, friends, not friends, and yes, boys. It all makes for a terrific comedy of manners, with the requisite amount of trial and tribulation for Elektra underneath. Encore!
When Elektra is discovered by an acting agent, she imagines Oscar glory can't be far away, but instead lurches from one cringe-worthy moment to the next! Just how many times can you be rejected for the part of 'Dead Girl Number Three' without losing hope? And who knew that actors were actually supposed to be multi-lingual, play seven instruments and be trained in a variety of circus skills? Off-stage things aren't going well either - she's fallen out with her best friend, remains firmly in the friend-zone with her crush and her parents are driving her crazy. One way or another, Elektra's life is now spent waiting for the phone to ring - waiting for callback. Can an average girl-next-door like Elektra really make it in the world of luvvies and starlets?
Honor and Perdita Cargill are a daughter/mother writing partnership.
Originally from the Scottish Highlands, Perdita spent many years as a barrister before turning to writing fiction.
Honor, having recently graduated from Oxford, is working on fiction and non-fiction writing projects as well as studying for a Masters at The Courtauld Institute.
