Growing Rich

by Fay Weldon

Selling one's soul to the devil takes on new meaning in this fiendishly clever page-turner by Fay Weldon. Once upon a time, in the dullest town imaginable, there lived three Laura, the pretty one; Annie, the one desperate to escape; and Carmen, the one who catches the devil's eye. Now in her ninth decade, Fay Weldon is one of the foremost chroniclers of our time, a novelist who spoke to an entire generation of women by daring to say the things that no one else would. Her work ranges over novels, short stories, children's books, nonfiction, journalism, television, radio, and the stage. She was awarded a CBE in 2001.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, British Literature, Novels, 20th Century, Literary Fiction

343 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Fay Weldon CBE was an English author, essayist and playwright, whose work has been associated with feminism. In her fiction, Weldon typically portrayed contemporary women who find themselves trapped in oppressive situations caused by the patriarchal structure of British society.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fay_Weldon

Reviews

[Lucynell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know of no other author like Fay Weldon. This proto-feminist, also, meta-feminist, machine-gunning witticisms since the 70s, handing out generous portions of the grotesque and the macabre, dripping spite and disarming honesty. She's like the kid who'll say what everyone, or most, or enough, think but won't say out loud. And she won't challenge your cowardice. Because the truth is there, or a very interesting version of it, and there's no point not pointing it out. Comedy can be extracted from such situation, but the process will also require some sort of sightseeing. Jealousy, envy, hope, magnificent individuality, bravery, so much to see. I like Fay Weldon. Her books are not the easiest read, and not just because they are often uncomfortable, but always a pleasure.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Fay Weldon classic; how I wish I could write like her! Here she uses age-old story-telling techniques, like that of three friends, their life-stories told by a disabled narrator who observes because she has very little by way of active life herself. The presence of the Devil, on the look-out for souls and influencing events in order to gain those which he’s decided are for him; including that of Sir Bernard, whose hubris ought to lead to his death but doesn’t. His fortunate outcome, and those of the others, seem to stem from Carmen’s determination to live her own life and even hang onto her virginity even when she wishes to lose it.

Confused? Don’t worry about the meaning that’s in Weldon’s tale, much of it is obvious as she sets the ‘progress’ of modern society against the preservation of the past as well as the new Feminism challenging the ‘traditional’ roles of women. Whatever else Fay Weldon may be, she’s a great teller of tales. Read and enjoy.

[Katharine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sell Your Soul To The Devil

This is the first Fay Weldon book I've read. It won't be the last. A wonderfully creative age old tale of what happens to three friends who grow up under the shadow of the Prince of Darkness. I thought this was clever, lyrical, poetic and witty. Sigh. I want to write like this.

[Sandi Mann · Rating 3 out of 5]

well, kinda quirky, but fascinaing enough to keep reading.

[B00kfan13 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Etwas anstrengend zu lesen mit den Schachtelsätzen. Von der Handlung wie ein moderner Faust.....eine edler Herr lässt sich auf einen Pakt mit dem Teufel (im Person seines Fahrers) ein um seine Traumfrau zu bekommen, die sich aber gewieft immer wieder verteidigt. Durchaus spannend, aber geschmackssache.

[Daisy · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this on holiday in athens and really enjoyed it

[Ian Mond · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thoughts on this book can be found in this episode of the Writer and the Critic podcast.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another FW twist on so-called ordinary life........