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The Diamond of Drury Lane (Cat Royal)
 
 
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The Diamond of Drury Lane (Cat Royal) (Hardcover)

by Julia Golding (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

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9 new from £2.95 25 used from £0.01 3 collectible from £6.00
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Product details

  • Hardcover: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Egmont Books Ltd (2 Jan 2006)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1405221496
  • ISBN-13: 978-1405221498
  • Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 13.4 x 3.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 94,820 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
Capturing superbly the hustle and bustle, flair and extravagance of late Eighteenth Century times in England’s renowned capital, The Diamond of Drury Lane introduces its feisty heroine with an undeniably exciting first adventure. This is historical fiction for young readers at its best--authentic, exciting and fast-moving.

Cat Royal is a veritable institution at Mr Sheridan’s famous Drury Lane theatre of ye olde London Town, circa 1790. Adopted by the owner after being mysteriously abandoned as a baby on the steps of his infamous establishment, Cat has grown up backstage amidst the glamour of the bright lights, the exotic artistes, hammy actors, melodious musicians and riotous viewing public. The performers are her family, the stagehands her closest friends.

However, Cat is growing up and she is beginning to think about what she wants to do with her life. Those thoughts take an unexpected turn when she overhears a conversation about a diamond hidden somewhere in the theatre. Her adventures begin when she tries to find the treasure. Pedro, a gifted musician who is new to the company orchestra, ably assists her. Ever present too are the political ramifications of a mischievous satirical cartoonist called Captain Sparkler, who some suspect is a very important person nearby in disguise.

The narrative traverses London and takes in the rival street gangs of Covent Garden, boxing matches, theatre riots, spectacular stage productions and several moments of drama and intrigue. Cat is so likeable as a central character, that readers will soon be caught up in her journey. That journey may only be short geographically, but she learns lots about who she is and who her real friends are. It’s great stuff. Look out for the sequel, Cat Among the Pigeons.

(Age 9 and over)--John McLay

Product Description
Set in 1790's Covent Garden this book whisks you back to a bygone era. The narrator's colourful slang and confident I-will-tell-you-how-it-really-is, makes the story sparkle off the page. It is the tale of Cat Royal, an orphan who lives at the back of the real-life theatre in Drury Lane. It contains a wonderful colourful cast of characters - awkward actors, on stage, and off, barrow boys in the grimy marketplace, street gangs fighting for territory...and it's packed with local colour and authentic detail. And of course there is the diamond mystery. What more could you want?

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

The Diamond of Drury Lane (Cat Royal)
79% buy the item featured on this page:
The Diamond of Drury Lane (Cat Royal) 4.5 out of 5 stars (11)
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Customer Reviews

11 Reviews
5 star:
 (9)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:
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2 star:    (0)
1 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!! , 22 Sep 2007
By Book Boffin (Staffordshire, England) - See all my reviews
I really enjoyed this book, and since I bought it about six months ago I've read it about four times. I would also recommend the sequels: "Cat Amoung the Pigeons", "Den of Thieves", "Cat O'Nine Tails" and "Black Heart of Jamaica" (even though Black Heart of Jamaica isn't even out yet - they're really that good).
Cat lives in the theatre. She is like everyone's mascot, she knows everyone, every inch of the theatre, nothing goes on without her finding out. You will not survive in Drury Lane if Cat doesn't take a shine to you. And she's only thirteen!
The book starts with a new member of the Drury Lane family being introduced. A former slave, Pedro is the conductor's apprentice, first class vionlinist, and as you find out in the later books a brilliant actor too. After an accident with one of the props Cat ends up dangling from the platforms above the stage. Pedro saves her life but then runs off, Cat rushes to find him (under threat of a beating) and the gang rivalry is introdued.
Showing alot of teenage confusions, thrilling action, qwerky jokes, and something alot of people can relate to in some way or other: rivalry - beit chavs and emos at school, rival schools, or rival gangs as in the book.
Set out like the Acts and Scenes of a play this book is utterly unputdownable. There should be much more books like this. Julia Golding is an artist and you have my word whether you're buying it for yourself or someone else you/they will love it!
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13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A cracking good read, 5 Feb 2006
By A Customer
I thought this book was brilliant. I liked the bit where Pedro saved Cat in the theatre with the balloon. I think it's particularly good if you like the past - I like learning about the past so I enjoyed it. The characters were good, because they were all so different. My favourite character is Cat, because she's the hero. I especially liked the end - but I can't tell you about that because it would spoil the surprise!
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9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars From Millie age 9, 6 Mar 2006
By A Customer
The best book I've ever read - it's exciting, it's a great adventure, and very well written.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning!
This book was amazing! I couldn't put it down. When I got Cat Among the Pigeons I had decided that it wasn't that good. Read more
Published 3 months ago

5.0 out of 5 stars a brilliant book!
the scribblings of cat royal from theatre royal drury lane.
she discribes her adventures in the streets of covent garden fantasticly, so well that I could picture her there... Read more
Published 7 months ago

3.0 out of 5 stars A slightly rough diamond
Smartie Gold Award winner 2006. Okay for my 9 and 10 year olds but plot slightly too complicated, would be better for older children. Read more
Published 9 months ago by D. Black

1.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't read past the first couple of pages!
It was sooo awful i couldn't read past the first couple of pages. Not my type of book at all. Obviously reading the other reviews people do like it but not me!
Published 10 months ago by L. Boeckstaens

5.0 out of 5 stars Drury lane rules
It is absolutely gripping I can't put it down I love the way she makes you feel like you are there
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Published 13 months ago by leftfooter

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Story.
I picked this off the shelves in the library as i had nothing else to do at the time and was intrigued by the cover and title, i started reading and was instantly captivated... Read more
Published 14 months ago by R. Earl

5.0 out of 5 stars Diamond of Drury Lane
A brilliant read. I was quickly drawn into the story and had to force myself to put it down!Cat finds herself always in sticky situations, but manages to get out of them, one way... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Emma. Age 11 yrs

5.0 out of 5 stars A theatrical masterpiece!
I was intrigued by the cover and the unusual blurb and so bought this book knowing nothing about the author, but was so pleasantly surprised. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Rachel Guest

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