Naked Ambition

Up-and-coming junior minister Gregory Buchanan has had a portrait painted of himself by the acclaimed artist Sophie White – a painting she intends to enter in this year’s Archibald Prize. Until then, Gregory has hung it in pride of place on his dining-room wall. It’s a life-sized standing portrait, practically photographic in nature. And it’s a nude. His wife will be home soon and he thinks the painting will be a pleasant surprise. Even more surprising will be an unexpected accumulation of guests- his sardonic mother, his fundamentalist mother-in-law, his lycra-clad cycling-enthusiast sister, and the state premier, Louisa Wetherly – a senior minister has just resigned in scandalous circumstances, and she needs Gregory to step into the spotlight ahead of the coming election. It’s going to be a wild afternoon, and an even wilder campaign – to do something about Gregory’s naked ambition. ‘A madcap, witty delight – it’s like Oscar Wilde or Noel Coward, but naked.’ -Toni Jordan, author of Dinner with the Schnabels and Prettier If She Smiled More ‘A wickedly fun comedy full of larger-than-life characters, plot twists, and sharp one-liners.’ -Graeme Simsion, author of The Rosie Project ‘ R eads somewhat like a closed-circle mystery. Most of the story is dialogue-driven, giving it a fun, campy, stagey feel, with characters often facing off against one another. Naked Ambition is witty and full of laughs; readers looking for offbeat entertainment will find it here.’ -Chris Saliba, Books+Publishing