Modern Becky is just as sharp

CHICK LIT

THE RISE AND FALL OF BECKY SHARP by Sarra Manning (HarperCollins €11.19, 400 pp)

LOVE her or loathe her, Becky Sharp, the cynical, social-climbing protagonist of Thackeray’s society novel Vanity Fair, is unforgettable.

A new adaptation starts on TV this Sunday, showing us how Becky famously uses her considerable charms to befriend clingy, pathetic Amelia Sedley and goes on to seduce various rich aristocrats in Amelia’s orbit.

She is alternately monstrous and delightful, selfish and brave, ruthless and — occasionally — kind-hearted.

I adored this contemporary retelling of her story, stuffed with up-to-the-minute popcultural references.

Amelia and Becky first meet in the Big Brother house.

Amelia wins the show and Becky comes second, but it’s clear that this is a mere stepping stone in Becky’s inexorable rise to wealth, fame and status, by whatever means necessary.

It’s funny and clever and reminded me why I was so fascinated by the first Becky Sharp.

I INVITED HER IN by Adele Parks (HQ €8.99, 384 pp)

HERE, Parks examines the dark side of female friendship in all its bitter, jealous, resentful glory.

When Mel receives an outof-the-blue email from Abi, an old university friend she hasn’t spoken to for almost two decades, long-buried memories come flooding back. Abi is in a desperate situation and Mel offers her a bed in her family home.

Mel sees this as her chance to right some past wrongs. As Abi shows no sign of leaving, an unexpected benefit is that Mel begins to feel like her younger self, in a way she hasn’t since she left university, pregnant and alone.

Her husband, however, isn’t keen on their guest, but Mel won’t listen. What ensues is a beautifully-written tale of revenge and retribution, full of unexpected plot twists.

KISS CARLO by Adriana Trigiani (Simon & Schuster €10.99, 768 pp)

IT’S 1949 and Philadelphia is buzzing after the end of the war. There are opportunities to seize and money to be made and families in the Italian quarter are working hard to claim their own slice of the action.

Nicky Castone, however, is hiding a secret love of the theatre and wondering whether there’s more to life than working for his uncle’s successful taxi company.

When he starts moonlighting at the local Shakespeare theatre company, it’s not long before he also finds himself unavoidably drawn to clever, creative Calla Borelli, who runs the show.

Stylishly written, this is a wide-ranging romp of a read about friendship, family, love and loyalty.