| The Diamond of Drury Lane | |
|---|---|
First edition cover |
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| Author(s) | Julia Golding |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Cat Royal |
| Genre(s) | Children's historical novel |
| Publisher | Egmont |
| Publication date | 2 January 2006 |
| Pages | 256 |
| ISBN | 978-1405221498 |
| Followed by | Cat among the Pigeons |
The Diamond of Drury Lane is a children's historical novel by Julia Golding which won the Nestle Children's Book Prize Gold Award in 2006.[1] The book is set on 1 January 1790.
Contents |
An orphaned 12-year-old girl named Catherine ‘Cat’ Royal lives in the Theater Royal, after the owner, Mr. Sheridan, who named her after the theater, found her as a baby. She knows well the Theater and its surroundings, later 18th century England. Cat befriends an African boy violinist, Pedro, who arrives to be the musician’s apprentice. Cat also meets the aristocratic Avon family, and the children, Lord Francis and Lady Elizabeth, who are not as arrogant as other wealthy people. She meets Johnny, the new prompter with a talent for art, specifically controversial political cartoons, and a mysterious past. She learns that Johnny is the “Captain Sparkler” accused of treason for the cartoons against the king. Johnny had had a romantic past with Lady Elizabeth.
One night Cat overhears Mr. Sheridan and his colleague Marchmont, discussing a valuable diamond hidden in the theater. Cat is intrigued, but she promises to protect it for Mr. Sheridan.
Cat learns that the diamond is not a real diamond, but it is actually Johnny, the prompter. He is of value, because of the reward for his capture.
However, a street gang led by Cat’s enemy Billy “Boil” Shepherd, learns about the diamond, and assumes it is a real diamond. He breaks into the Theater to steal it. Cat and Pedro manage to evade him, but Cat is arrested for having money that was supposed to be for smuggling Johnny out of England where he will be safe. Boil is also arrested for stealing the money, although 2 of his gang member actually stole the money.
Johnny eventually gets out of England, and Cat is reunited with her Theater and everyone in it. In the end, Mr. Sheridan tells her that there was no real diamond, nor Johnny, as a metaphorical diamond. Cat is the true diamond of the Theater Royal, and the Theater would be nothing without its "Cat."
Catherine (Cat) Royal: The protagonist of the series. An orphan, she was named Royal after the theatre. Cat is very strong willed and independent.
Lord Jonathan (Johnny) Fitzroy/Captain Sparkler/The Diamond: When Cat found out he was Captain Sparkler as she quoted in the book 'And I suppose if you want your wit to sparkle brightly captain you have to take cover under the skirts of Drury Lane to escape the pack baying your blood?' he was angry with her. Later in the book when Billy Boil catches her he comes to her rescue though he was suspicious she was running to the magistrate. In the end he leaves for America for self-exile.
The Avon family: The Avon family so far consists of Lord Francis, Lady Elizabeth and the Duke of Avon. Because of the Duke of Avon Cat was put into a gaol whereas the dog dog eats the Cat.
Pedro: Pedro is a black slave boy. He has a talent for the violin which brings him many fans and friends.
There are five sequels: Cat among the Pigeons, Den of Thieves, Cat O'Nine Tails, Black Heart of Jamaica and Cat's Cradle