- Paperback: 422 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins (5 Feb 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0006511775
- ISBN-13: 978-0006511779
- Product Dimensions: 17.4 x 11.8 x 3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 65,014 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
‘Clever, original, perceptive and preposterous… highly enjoyable’
Hampstead & Highgate Gazette
‘Hooks until the final twist’
Woman & Home
‘ZELDA’S CUT holds the attention because the cravings it describes are real’
Helen Dunmore
Product Description
Delicious combination of confused identities, personal dramas and moral dilemmas in a contemporary chiller from one of our most outstanding novelists.
For years, Isobel Latimer has composed serious novels for serious people, but to dwindling acclaim and ever-more dwindling gain. Now her husband is ill and she must carry their financial burden alone, and in secret.
But if the public don’t want careful moral fables any longer, why not provide an outrageous tale of sex and satanism, and an author to match? The incomparable, uncontrollable Zelda de Vere is born.
What began with the best of intentions snowballs into a disorienting blur of passion, gender-bending, loss of innocence, to betrayal and beyond. Isobel Latimer might feel she’s on the brink of losing everything, but what would Zelda do?
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Zelda is the alter- ego of Isobel Latimer, a quiet and self-effacing author whose life revolves around her husband's ill health and their financial problems. By becoming Zelda, and breaking into rauchy romantic thrillers, as opposed to her serious work, she and her agent, Troy, begin a clandestine series of rendezvous' around the country, promoting Zelda's books, and at the same time, start having an affair. So far, so good. But then it careers off out of control, with episodes of cross-dressing, gender transformation, and exactly who is role playing Zelda whilst dressed in the erotic underwear becomes less predictable. The ending, which I won't spoil, stretches belief a bit too far for me on many fronts, but like all Philippa Gregory's books, it's a very readable, if far fetched, novel.
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Some of Philippa Gregory's novels I love - A Respectable Trade, The Wise Woman for example. Some, however, are mediocre and this is one of them.
Literary novelist Isobel Latimer desperately needs money to keep a roof above the heads of herself and her ailing husband. So she writes a bonkbuster and creates her alter-ego 'Zelda Vere.' The story has some interesting plot devices, but I was unable to suspend my disbelief to properly enjoy them. I could just about cope with the fact that given a wig, expensive clothes and makeup, Isobel could get away with being Zelda Vere when she had to...but what happens at the TV studio when there's a quick change mid-programme (being vague here to avoid spoilers) is utterly stupid. How COULD anyone FAIL to notice the change? Come off it!
Gregory's comments on Isobel finding the notion of incest a turn on were interesting as she has covered the theme of incest several times in previous novels and it seems to be something that fascinates her as an author. The Other Boleyn Girl was rife with it.
I thought that the ending was abrupt and rushed and it left several threads either dangling or very loosely tied. Bottom line: Philippa Gregory is a superb author when she's on top form. Unfortunately she must have been having an off day when she wrote Zelda's Cut.
Literary novelist Isobel Latimer desperately needs money to keep a roof above the heads of herself and her ailing husband. So she writes a bonkbuster and creates her alter-ego 'Zelda Vere.' The story has some interesting plot devices, but I was unable to suspend my disbelief to properly enjoy them. I could just about cope with the fact that given a wig, expensive clothes and makeup, Isobel could get away with being Zelda Vere when she had to...but what happens at the TV studio when there's a quick change mid-programme (being vague here to avoid spoilers) is utterly stupid. How COULD anyone FAIL to notice the change? Come off it!
Gregory's comments on Isobel finding the notion of incest a turn on were interesting as she has covered the theme of incest several times in previous novels and it seems to be something that fascinates her as an author. The Other Boleyn Girl was rife with it.
I thought that the ending was abrupt and rushed and it left several threads either dangling or very loosely tied. Bottom line: Philippa Gregory is a superb author when she's on top form. Unfortunately she must have been having an off day when she wrote Zelda's Cut.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Zelda's Cut was an erotic and hypnotic novel by this amazing writer. Very different form her more well known work such as The Queen's Fool or The other Boylen Girl. This book had my attention from beginning to end. With twists and turns you would never expect. Fall into the world of a struggling writer as she finds a side of herself she never even knew existed. Only take this journey if you can handle what she finds??
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Don't bother
I have worked my way through most of this author's work. Please do not waste your money or your time with this one. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Alice
"Different"
The reason I use the title "Different" is for those who have read Gregory's historical novels. Zelda's Cut" is anything but historical! Read more
Published on 1 Oct 2009 by Josie-Jo
Great story
Won't spoil the story I can only advise to read it. Trust me, you won't regret it. To tell you a little bit ... Read more
Published on 17 May 2009 by Floddertje
Zelda's Cut
The first Phillippa Gregory novel I've read, but I'm not sure I'd read any more. Was completely engrossed for most of the book, but can't believe I bothered reading into the night... Read more
Published on 31 Oct 2007 by Anon
Zelda's Cut
This book is nowhere near Philippa Gregory's usual standard. The idea is brilliant; creating an alter ego which takes over its creators and affects their lives, but it could've... Read more
Published on 10 Nov 2006 by a reader
Zelda's Cut
This book had a lot of twists in it to keep you involved. It is not one ofGregory's best books, but it was nonetheless intriguing! Read more
Published on 4 Sep 2005 by sharron tsierkezou
Very different!
This is the second book I've read by Philippa Gregory. The first was 'The Little House', which I found so chilling and enjoyable that I couldn't wait to read another by this... Read more
Published on 19 April 2002
Light reading, good story, unpredictable ending
I've only just finished Zelda's Cut and it's the first book I have ever read by Philippa Gregory. I had expected some kind of thriller but the book is basically about human betrayl... Read more
Published on 29 April 2001
Fantastic
Both very enjoyable AND serious : a most unusual combination that mirrors the theme of the book.
Published on 29 Mar 2001
Sheer pleasure from start to finish!
This is an amazing book and I urge anyone who loves a great story to read it. It has a storyline that puts most plots to shame: so inventive, imaginative and full of suspense. Read more
Published on 14 Feb 2001
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