Their Finest : Now a major film starring Gemma Arterton and Bill Nighy

From the author of the acclaimed Crooked Heart comes another “smart, funny, ingenious, revealing tale of London life during the Second World War” (The Independent).“Beautifully written, minutely observed and researched.” - The GuardianIt's 1940. In a small advertising agency in Soho, London, Catrin Cole writes snappy lines for Vida Elastic and So-Bee-Fee gravy browning. But the nation is in peril, all skills are transferable and there's a place in the war effort for those who have a knack with words.Catrin is conscripted into the world of propaganda films. After a short spell promoting the joy of swedes for the Ministry of Food, she finds herself writing dialogue for 'Just an Ordinary Wednesday', a heart-warming but largely fabricated 'true story' about rescue and romance on the beaches of Dunkirk. And as bombs start to fall on London, she discovers that there's just as much drama, comedy and passion behind the scenes as there is in front of the camera ..."This is a comic novel, but far warmer in tone and broader in scope than that label would suggest...Gloriously observed...Hilliard is a wonderful creation - and Evans's recreated propaganda scripts are a total joy. Delicious." - The Times"Pitch-perfect in tone and populated by some unforgettable characters, Lissa Evans's blackly comic new novel is a delight." - The Gloss MagazineOrange Prize Nominee for Fiction Longlist (2009), Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize Nominee for comic fiction (2009) 'This funny, heart-warming and beautifully crafted novel is a must-read.' Daily Mail 'A beautifully written, minutely observed and researched, evocative and very funny tale.' Guardian Now a major film starring Gemma Arterton and Bill Nighy ___ In a man's world, it's up to Catrin Cole to lift the spirits of a nation... It's 1940. In a small advertising agency in Soho, Catrin writes snappy lines for Vida Elastic and So-Bee-Fee gravy browning. But the country is in peril, all skills are transferable and there's a place in the war effort for those who have a knack with words. Catrin is conscripted into the world of propaganda films. After a short spell promoting the joy of swedes for the Ministry of Food, she finds herself writing dialogue alongside scriptwriter Tom Buckley, for a heart-warming but not-quite-true story of rescue and romance on the beaches of Dunkirk. And as bombs start to fall on London, she discovers that there's just as much drama, comedy and love behind the scenes as there is in front of the camera . . . ___ Readers are falling in love with Their Finest: ***** 'Delightful . . . Full of memorable characters and snappy dialogue' ***** 'Leaves a wonderful warm glow . . . I loved every minute of this story' ***** 'Funny, touching, and beautifully researched . . . so evocative' Lissa Evans' new book V For Victory is OUT NOW 'this Funny, Heart-warming And Beautifully Crafted Novel Is A Must-read.' Daily Mail 'a Beautifully Written, Minutely Observed And Researched, Evocative And Very Funny Tale.' Guardian ___ In A Man's World, It's Up To Catrin Cole To Lift The Spirits Of A Nation... It's 1940. In A Small Advertising Agency In Soho, Catrin Writes Snappy Lines For Vida Elastic And So-bee-fee Gravy Browning. But The Country Is In Peril, All Skills Are Transferable And There's A Place In The War Effort For Those Who Have A Knack With Words. Catrin Is Conscripted Into The World Of Propaganda Films. After A Short Spell Promoting The Joy Of Swedes For The Ministry Of Food, She Finds Herself Writing Dialogue Alongside Scriptwriter Tom Buckley, For A Heart-warming But Not-quite-true Story Of Rescue And Romance On The Beaches Of Dunkirk. And As Bombs Start To Fall On London, She Discovers That There's Just As Much Drama, Comedy And Love Behind The Scenes As There Is In Front Of The Camera . . . ___ Readers Are Falling In Love With Their Finest: ***** 'delightful . . . Full Of Memorable Characters And Snappy Dialogue' ***** 'leaves A Wonderful Warm Glow . . . I Loved Every Minute Of This Story' ***** 'funny, Touching, And Beautifully Researched . . . So Evocative'__ Lissa Evans' New Book V For Victory Is Available To Pre-order Now. A black comedy about the making of a propaganda film in World War II. It is 1940. France has fallen, and only a narrow strip of sea lies between Great Britain and invasion. The war could go either way and everyone must do their bit. Young copy writer Catrin Cole is drafted into the Ministry of Information to help 'write women' in propaganda films - something that the men aren't very good at. She is quickly seconded to the Ministry's latest endeavour: a heart-warming tale of bravery and rescue at Dunkirk. It's all completely fabricated, of course, but what does that matter when the nation's morale is at stake? Since call-up has stripped the industry of its brightest and best, it is the callow, the jaded and the utterly unsuitable who must make up the numbers: Ambrose Hilliard, third most popular British film-star of 1924; Edith Beadmore, Madame Tussauds wardrobe assistant turned costumier; and Arthur Frith, whose peacetime job as a catering manager has not really prepared him for his sudden, unexpected elevation to Special Military Advisor. And in a serious world, in a nation under siege, they must all swallow their mutual distaste, ill-will and mistrust and unite for the common good, for King and Country, and - in one case - for better or worse... It is 1940. France has fallen, and only a narrow strip of sea lies between Great Britain and invasion. The war could go either way and everyone must do their bit. Young copy writer Catrin Cole is drafted into the Ministry of Information to help 'write women' in propaganda films - something that the men aren't very good at. She is quickly seconded to the Ministry's latest endeavour: a heart-warming tale of bravery and rescue at Dunkirk. It's all completely fabricated, of course, but what does that matter when the nation's morale is at stake? Since call-up has stripped the industry of its brightest and best, it is the callow, the jaded and the utterly unsuitable who must make up the numbers: Ambrose Hilliard, third most popular British film-star of 1924; Edith Beadmore, Madame Tussauds wardrobe assistant turned costumier; and Arthur Frith, whose peacetime job as a catering manager has not really prepared him for his sudden, unexpected elevation to Special Military Advisor. And in a serious world, in a nation under siege, they must all swallow their mutual distaste, ill-will and mistrust and unite for the common good, for King and Country, and - in one case - for better or worse .. Now a major film starring Gemma Arterton, Sam Claflin and Bill Nighy. It's 1940. In a small advertising agency in Soho, Catrin Cole writes snappy lines for Vida Elastic and So-Bee-Fee gravy browning. But the nation is in peril, all skills are transferable and there's a place in the war effort for those who have a knack with words. Catrin is conscripted into the world of propaganda films. After a short spell promoting the joy of swedes for the Ministry of Food, she finds herself writing dialogue for 'Just an Ordinary Wednesday', a heart-warming but largely fabricated 'true story' about rescue and romance on the beaches of Dunkirk. And as bombs start to fall on London, she discovers that there's just as much drama, comedy and passion behind the scenes as there is in front of the camera . . . Originally published as Their Finest Hour and a Half "It is 1940. France has fallen, and only a narrow strip of sea lies between Great Britain and invasion. The war could go either way and everyone must do their bit. Copywriter Catrin Cole is drafted into the Ministry of Information to help write women into propaganda films--something that the men aren't very good at"--Page [4] of cover. Features such characters as: Ambrose Hilliard, a washed up old ham from the golden era of silent movies; Catrin Cole, formerly an advertising copywriter drafted in to 'write women' for the Ministry of Information; and, Edith Beadmore, a wardrobe assistant at Madame Tussauds.