Feisty heroine of the 21st century who will have massive appeal to young ladies and ladettes everywhere, Harriet is like most teenagers – precocious, overconfident, naive but vehemently determined. This debut novel is quirky, highly original and will be devoured by all those who loved Sue Townsend’s Adrian Mole creation as well as the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Harriet Rose, like any other teenager, is naive, overconfident and has always felt she has something important to say. However, unlike most of her peers, her hero is Marcus Aurelius, in imitation of whom she has been composing philosophical reflections on life for some time. When Harriet's father dies, the urge to write these meditations is greater than ever. Then, on her fourteenth birthday, she receives a unique gift. Her doting mother and grandmother have had her by-now-substantial collection of meditations published. Having appointed themselves roles -- Mother: publicist; Nana: sales rep; Harriet: esteemed author -- they vow to get the book into the hands of a wide readership. Once this formidable team gets into gear, there's no holding back, and Harriet is hurled into a lifestyle that not even she, in all her infinite wisdom, could have been prepared for. Bookshop orders soon stack up, and Harriet is plunged into a whirlwind of launch parties, newspaper coverage and television appearances. But is all this attention exactly what she thinks?

Diana Janney gained two degrees in Philosophy from University College, London. She then qualified as a solicitor and subsequently practised as a barrister. She has lived for most of her adult life in Central London, is married and now writes full time. More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation