Workhorse by Caroline Palmer: A Devil Wears Prada-Style Tale of Ambition
Former Vogue staffer Caroline Palmer has crafted a debut novel that delves into the dark obsessions driving the golden era of women's magazines. Workhorse presents a Devil Wears Prada-style narrative, centred on a vile and hilarious heroine who is not someone you might want to spend excessive time with, yet her story is undeniably compelling.
The Setting and Protagonist
Set during the dying days of a glamorous epoch for women's glossies, the novel immerses readers in a world where boozy lunches, free couture, and expensed luxuries were the norm. In this first decade of the new millennium, we meet Clodagh, or Clo, a suburban twentysomething dubbed a "workhorse" striving to succeed among rich, beautiful, and well-connected "show horses". Her willingness to do almost anything to climb the ranks sets the stage for a gripping tale of ambition and envy.
Literary Context and Themes
The women's magazine has a rich literary history, from Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar to Lauren Weisberger's The Devil Wears Prada. Similarly, the genre of "young woman comes of age in New York City" has been explored in works like The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing and Rules of Civility. Workhorse also taps into the grifter narrative, reminiscent of classics such as The Talented Mr Ripley and The Great Gatsby, where reinvention feels perpetually possible in America's classless society.
It is no surprise that this novel sparked a bidding war, given its multifaceted appeal. Notably, it features a highly dislikable heroine, a trend in contemporary fiction that adds depth and complexity to the storytelling.
Character Analysis: Clo's Flaws and Charms
Clo is portrayed as a liar, thief, and alcoholic, brimming with class envy and internalised misogyny. Her descriptions of other women are often vile, yet sometimes hilariously sharp, such as when she notes someone looking "particularly haggard ... like when you spot a famous actress buying bananas at a Midtown bodega". Despite her unpleasantness, readers may find themselves rooting for her initially, drawn into her journey from an underling to an Upper East Side editor.
Palmer's wit shines through Clo's razor-sharp observations on the fashion industry's foibles. Her dark obsession with the beautiful, well-bred colleague Davis Lawrence is well-drawn, as is her friend Harry, who embodies the real Holly Golightly of the story. These charismatic contrasts highlight Clo's seething, grasping nature, making her a fascinating, if frustrating, character study.
Narrative Strengths and Weaknesses
While Workhorse offers tremendous fun in watching Clo's ascent, its length of over 500 pages poses a challenge. Spending so much time in Clo's head can feel overwhelming, and the novel might have benefited from a tighter edit, potentially cutting a third without losing its essence. A shift from first person to a close third person perspective could have enhanced the narrative flow, allowing Palmer's brilliant writing, such as her gorgeous description of a New York power cut, to stand out more prominently.
Relevance and Emotional Depth
In a post-Wintour era, where the fashion industry's shallow ruthlessness is well-known, Workhorse risks feeling like a nostalgic swansong. However, it elevates itself by exploring the emotional burden of the perpetual outsider. The novel delves into the weight and waste of envy and ambition, capturing moments where one realises they have "burn[ed] through an entire decade in a single night". This profound theme resonates deeply, as echoed by a character's reflection on the sadness of answering life's big questions.
Workhorse by Caroline Palmer is published by 4th Estate, offering a dark, witty, and ambitious addition to the literary landscape of magazine-era tales.
