Jacaranda signs 'deeply incisive' debut from former financial trader

Jacaranda Books has snapped up former financial trader Isabelle Dupuy's "deeply incisive" debut novel. 

Jacaranda publisher Valerie Brandes acquired world English rights from Cathryn Summerhayes at Curtis Brown. Living the Dream will be published in hardback and ebook format this autumn.

Told through the lives of two immigrant women - Solange Wolf from Haiti and Naomi Barnes from Colombia – balancing motherhood, marriage and social expectations within the privileged inner circles of London, Living the Dream explores modern love and how power is negotiated in relationships. Set during the lead up to Brexit, it is a story of money, elitism and the hidden realities of the "perfect life” within bi-racial and bi-cultural relationships. 

Summerhayes said: “Isabelle Dupuy is a gorgeous writer and partnering with Jacaranda to publish Living the Dream is absolutely ideal. We couldn’t be more thrilled.” 

Dupuy grew up in Haiti and is a graduate of the prestigious Yale University. She moved to London from New York 20 years ago to work as an investment banker in the City. She has been published in the New York Times, is a theatre critic with Litro Magazine and a Trustee of the London Library. 

Brandes added: “Living the Dream captures the essence of a particular London world, one of beautiful homes, expensive schools, intelligent yet deeply insecure women, and driven, powerful men. Ordinary aspects of life, falling in love, raising a family, building a home life, become high stake bargaining chips in an ever-increasing battle between the sexes for control. Isabelle Dupuy delivers a brilliant, deeply incisive, take on this world that’s open to the few. I loved falling into it and savoured every word.”