Cassandra Darke
A darkly comedic tale of crime and self-discovery
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Vintage Publishing
Published:1st Nov '18
Should be back in stock very soon
Cassandra Darke, an art dealer with a checkered past, faces unexpected peril in her basement, forcing her to confront her choices and the nature of villainy.
In Cassandra Darke, readers are introduced to a complex character who navigates the murky waters of crime and morality. Cassandra, an art dealer residing in an opulent Chelsea home, has a tarnished reputation due to her conviction for fraud. To her, this crime seems insignificant compared to the more sinister acts that others commit. She lives in a world where social status matters, yet she has become a pariah, isolating herself from the very society she once thrived in. Her life takes a dramatic turn when a surprise left by her young ex-lodger, Nicki, suggests that her situation may be more dangerous than she ever anticipated.
As the story unfolds, Cassandra Darke challenges the notion of villainy and what it means to be a criminal. The discovery in her basement forces Cassandra out of her comfortable life and into the darker corners of the city. Here, she must confront not only the implications of Nicki's actions but also her own moral compass. The narrative delves into themes of self-preservation, sacrifice, and the choices one must make when faced with dire circumstances.
Ultimately, Cassandra Darke is a compelling tale that blends humor with darker undertones, showcasing the author's talent for creating engaging characters and intricate plots. The book invites readers to ponder what truly defines a villain and how far one might go to protect themselves in a world fraught with danger.
Simmonds is a copper-bottomed genius… she is as brilliant a writer as Britain has. -- Jenny Colgan * Mail Online *
Scrooge is reimagined for 21st-century London inPosy Simmonds’s devilishly good graphic novel, Cassandra Darke— her first in a decade. Cassandra is a marvellous creation… There is too much clever detail in each of the panels to take in everything at first read — but Cassandra is an antiheroine you’ll want to return to. -- Siobhan Murphy * The Times *
Simmonds has long been something of a national treasure. -- Teddy Jamieson * Herald Scotland *
[This] glorious, inky black tale about a mean-spirited old bag of a Chelsea art dealprovides more proof of [Posy Simmond’s] genius. -- Rachel Cooke * Observer, **Books of the Year** *
The new graphic novel by cartoonist, writer and national treasure Posy Simmonds... is a page-turner, [but] it’s impossible to gallop through words and pictures that are so richly textured, so sharply observed. -- Francis Wheen * Mail on Sunday *
A Christmas crime story that’s bags of fun… Simmonds’ pictorial storytelling is a joy. -- Anthony Cummins * Metro *
Simmonds’ drawings are exquisitely observed, and seamlessly incorporate text messages and online news reports. Her muted palette, with occasional splashes of colour, is absorbing and in the curmudgeonly Cassandra… Simmonds has produced another character that comes living and breathing off the page. -- Carl Wilkinson * Financial Times *
Posy Simmonds's delightful new graphic novel Cassandra Darke, full of wonderfully observed vignettes... [is] treasurable. -- David Sexton * Evening Standard **Books of the Year** *
[Posy Simmonds] is back with a new anti-heroine… [and] jewel-sharp illustrations. -- Claire Armitstead * Guardian *
Posy Simmonds is the mother of the British graphic novel… The end [of Cassandra Darke] is startlingly poignant, and like all good satire it has a quiet reflection on human mortality at its heart. -- Lucy Lethbridge * Tablet *
ISBN: 9780224089098
Dimensions: 268mm x 234mm x 17mm
Weight: 720g
96 pages