In 'Workhorse', debut author Caroline Palmer crafts a riveting tale of ambition and disillusionment set against the backdrop of 2000s New York's fashion magazine scene, drawing parallels with the iconic 'Devil Wears Prada'. The narrative follows Clodagh, or Clo, an unlikable yet charismatic protagonist navigating her way through the cutthroat world of high-end publishing.
Palmer skillfully captures the wit and cynicism that pervades this environment, rendering it both fascinating and repellent. Her protagonist's dark obsession with a privileged colleague is well-drawn, alongside a cast of characters that shine – particularly Harry, whose effortless charm stands in stark contrast to Clo's desperation and self-loathing.
While Palmer's prose is at times razor-sharp and evocative, the novel's length – exceeding 500 pages – can feel overwhelming. A more judicious editing process would have allowed for a greater concentration of her exceptional writing, elevating key passages like its vivid descriptions of New York power cuts to standouts within the narrative.
Ultimately, 'Workhorse' offers a profound exploration of the emotional burden carried by those on the fringes of high society, highlighting the crushing weight of unfulfilled aspirations and the devastating consequences of ambition without direction. Despite Clo's grating personality, Palmer's nuanced portrayal makes for an engaging read, even if one can't help feeling that they're watching from afar, witnessing a party that's rapidly losing its luster.
As we navigate this post-Wintour era, 'Workhorse' serves as a poignant reminder of the fashion industry's dark underbelly. With its vivid characterizations and searing commentary on class envy and the pressure to reinvent oneself, this novel is sure to resonate with fans of 'The Devil Wears Prada'. However, readers may need to invest in patience – if not a healthy dose of tolerance – when immersing themselves in Clo's inner world.
Palmer skillfully captures the wit and cynicism that pervades this environment, rendering it both fascinating and repellent. Her protagonist's dark obsession with a privileged colleague is well-drawn, alongside a cast of characters that shine – particularly Harry, whose effortless charm stands in stark contrast to Clo's desperation and self-loathing.
While Palmer's prose is at times razor-sharp and evocative, the novel's length – exceeding 500 pages – can feel overwhelming. A more judicious editing process would have allowed for a greater concentration of her exceptional writing, elevating key passages like its vivid descriptions of New York power cuts to standouts within the narrative.
Ultimately, 'Workhorse' offers a profound exploration of the emotional burden carried by those on the fringes of high society, highlighting the crushing weight of unfulfilled aspirations and the devastating consequences of ambition without direction. Despite Clo's grating personality, Palmer's nuanced portrayal makes for an engaging read, even if one can't help feeling that they're watching from afar, witnessing a party that's rapidly losing its luster.
As we navigate this post-Wintour era, 'Workhorse' serves as a poignant reminder of the fashion industry's dark underbelly. With its vivid characterizations and searing commentary on class envy and the pressure to reinvent oneself, this novel is sure to resonate with fans of 'The Devil Wears Prada'. However, readers may need to invest in patience – if not a healthy dose of tolerance – when immersing themselves in Clo's inner world.
... Like, Clo's obsession with this guy is so alluring at first, but then you realize she's just hurting herself in the process 
. And Palmer does such a great job showing how the fashion world can be both glamorous and soul-sucking at the same time 
. I mean, have we ever stopped to think about what it means to be on the "fringes" of society? Is that even a thing anymore? 
We're all just trying to keep up with each other's expectations now, right? 
... Anyway, I loved how Palmer wrote this whole novel without shying away from the darker side of ambition, but maybe next time she could edit it down a notch, ya know? 
clo is literally the most infuriating protagonist ever but at the same time u feel bad for her because she's so lost and alone in this cutthroat world. the writing is super sharp and palmer really captures the dark side of the fashion industry. but 500 pages? that's a lot to get through lol. some parts were just too much and made me wanna throw my book across the room 
The way Caroline Palmer weaves together the high-stakes world of fashion publishing is just incredible 
She really gets to the heart of what drives people like Clo, this complex and infuriating protagonist who's both fascinating and off-putting at the same time 
I loved how she captured the cutthroat vibe of that industry, it's like a whole different universe from our own 
That's what really got me - it feels like we're living in a world where ambition without direction is just gonna crush you 
I mean, I loved how Caroline Palmer captured the cutthroat world of fashion magazines, it was like she took all my fave guilty pleasures and put them on paper! 
The way Clodagh navigates her way through this dark world is soooo relatable, even though Clo's personality can be kinda grating at times... I just wanna scream "Girl, get a grip!" 
The way she explores the emotional burden of those on the fringes of high society is SO poignant and thought-provoking. And can we talk about Harry? 
He's like the ultimate charm-er... I need more of him in my life, stat! 
500 pages might be a lot, but trust me, it's WORTH IT 
Can't wait for the next book from this debut author! 
Mind blown! But yeah, Clo's a bit of a pain to deal with 
. Not sure if it's a must-read or not, but if you're into that sorta thing, it might be worth a shot 
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. The way she tackles themes of class envy and ambition without direction feels super relatable 
. One thing that did bother me was the pacing – 500 pages can feel like a marathon, not a sprint 
. Still, I'm excited to dive deeper into this world and see what other insights Palmer has in store for us 
.
. My only gripe would be that 500 pages can feel a bit much, maybe edit some of the longer passages? 
the main character Clo is soooo not likable but at the same time, she's also really interesting? 
I liked how the author wrote about class envy and pressure to reinvent oneself - it's something we can all relate to, right? 
But 500 pages feels like a lot to get through... maybe just take it one step at a time? 
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