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Bad Publicity
In the twilight of the Reagan era, as prospects appear brighter than ever for a Democratic restoration, the lawyers, lobbyists, advisers and socialites of Washington are looking ahead -- but over their shoulders, too. With good reason.
Charlie Dingleman, a former congressman, has gotten a tantalizing job offer that could rescue him from the drudgery of lawyering. But he's being shadowed by an increasingly unsavory rumor started by Judith Grust, a young associate at Charlie's firm. Judith has a few dark secrets of her own, like one she shares with Hank Morriday, a lazy, shiftless welfare policy expert. That helps to drive Hank into the orbit of Candy Romulade, a P.R. executive paralyzed by a dwindling client list. Then Candy signs up a veteran local anchorman, who has a very peculiar view of the world.
As these men and women collide in a lusty, mad scramble, their savage ambitions and reversals of fortune test the idea that there's no such thing as bad publicity. The result, Bad Publicity, is a pitch-perfect, often poignant novel in the classic Swiftian mold.
Charlie Dingleman, a former congressman, has gotten a tantalizing job offer that could rescue him from the drudgery of lawyering. But he's being shadowed by an increasingly unsavory rumor started by Judith Grust, a young associate at Charlie's firm. Judith has a few dark secrets of her own, like one she shares with Hank Morriday, a lazy, shiftless welfare policy expert. That helps to drive Hank into the orbit of Candy Romulade, a P.R. executive paralyzed by a dwindling client list. Then Candy signs up a veteran local anchorman, who has a very peculiar view of the world.
As these men and women collide in a lusty, mad scramble, their savage ambitions and reversals of fortune test the idea that there's no such thing as bad publicity. The result, Bad Publicity, is a pitch-perfect, often poignant novel in the classic Swiftian mold.
- GenresFiction
224 pages, Paperback
First published December 30, 2003
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About the author
Jeffrey Frank
11 books38 followersWorked as senior editor at The New Yorker. Also worked for The Washington Post.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 14, 2008
This starts off as a funny portrait of several different and very recognizable Washington types: the unrecognized think-tank wonk, the ambitious young attorney, the underwhelming hack former Congressman, the star struck PR girl, etc. Unfortunately, it gets just a little too outlandish at the end as it tries to weave these archetypes into a compelling story.
November 4, 2009
"There are (virtually) no humans in Washington D.C." is probably a good way to sum up this political/media satire. Enjoyed some very funny dry lines sprinkled throughout, but the delusional self-regard of nearly all the characters gave me a vaguely sick feeling for the week I was reading this.
June 28, 2007
Story set in Washington during the months leading up to the 1988 presidential election. Lots of intrigue and inside thoughts on the world that is/was Washington D.C. in the late 1980s.
May 3, 2008
Set in DC
Newspaper columnist, power brokers
Humor to deflate individual pomposity
Cleverly written with tongue firmly in cheek
Newspaper columnist, power brokers
Humor to deflate individual pomposity
Cleverly written with tongue firmly in cheek
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews