The Infinite Wisdom of Harriet Rose

Harriet Rose, like any other teenager, is naive, overconfident and has always felt she has something important to say. However, unlike most of her peers, her hero is Marcus Aurelius, in imitation of whom she has been composing philosophical reflections on life for some time. When Harriet s father dies, the urge to write these meditations is greater than ever.

Then, on her fourteenth birthday, she receives a unique gift. Her doting mother and grandmother have had her by-now-substantial collection of meditations published. Having appointed themselves roles Mother: publicist; Nana: sales rep; Harriet: esteemed author they vow to get the book into the hands of a wide readership.

Once this formidable team gets into gear, there s no holding back, and Harriet is hurled into a lifestyle that not even she, in all her infinite wisdom, could have been prepared for. Bookshop orders soon stack up, and Harriet is plunged into a whirlwind of launch parties, newspaper coverage and television appearances. But is all this attention exactly what she thinks? And, more importantly, can her happiness or her naivety - last?

“'Wonderfully naive...quirky and clever' + four stars”

Harriet is a great character - fantastically clever, arrogant, socially inept and likely to refer to Kant at inopportune moments. There should be lots more books for teenagers with heroines who idolise Marcus Aurelius. - Observer

A lovely fantasy on stardom spotted with her philosophy and the sad knocks of life. A good, unusual read' - Bookseller

Diana Janney creates in Harriet Rose a young heroine who is beautiful, confident, clever, successful...the young author's attempts to publicise her book maintain interest as well as providing more than a few laughs...refreshing' - Independent

Adrian Mole for girls - Elle

'this is the sort of book that keeps a girl's world sane - Independent

- Company

Diana Janney gained two degrees in Philosophy from University College, London. She then qualified as a solicitor and subsequently practised as a barrister. She has lived for most of her adult life in Central London, is married and now writes full time.

Harriet Rose, like any other teenager, is naive, overconfident and has always felt she has something important to say. However, unlike most of her peers, her hero is Marcus Aurelius, in imitation of whom she has been composing philosophical reflections on life for some time. When Harriet s father dies, the urge to write these meditations is greater than ever. Then, on her fourteenth birthday, she receives a unique gift. Her doting mother and grandmother have had her by-now-substantial collection of meditations published. Having appointed themselves roles Mother: publicist; Nana: sales rep; Harriet: esteemed author they vow to get the book into the hands of a wide readership. Once this formidable team gets into gear, there s no holding back, and Harriet is hurled into a lifestyle that not even she, in all her infinite wisdom, could have been prepared for. Bookshop orders soon stack up, and Harriet is plunged into a whirlwind of launch parties, newspaper coverage and television appearances. But is all this attention exactly what she thinks? And, more importantly, can her happiness or her naivety - last?

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