‘This blistering story puts you in mind of last year’s blockbuster hit, Yellowface . . . Enjoyable, riotously mischievous and gleefully direct, without losing nuance or lapsing into caricature’ Daily Mail
Meet Relebogile Naledi Mpho Moruakgomo. Or, for short, Eddie: an aspiring playwright who dreams of making it big in London’s theatre world. But after repeated rejections from white talent agents, Eddie suspects her non-white sounding name might be the problem.
Enter Hugo Lawrence Smith: good looking, well-connected, charismatic and . . . very white. Stifled by his law degree and looking for a way out of the corporate world, he finds a kindred spirit in Eddie after a chance encounter at a cafe.
Together they devise a plan which will see Eddie’s play on stage and Hugo’s name in lights and expose the theatre world for its racism and hollow clout-chasing. But as their plan spins wildly out of control, Eddie and Hugo find themselves wondering if their reputations, and their friendship, can survive.
‘This blistering story puts you in mind of last year’s blockbuster hit, Yellowface . . . Enjoyable, riotously mischievous and gleefully direct, without losing nuance or lapsing into caricature’ – Daily Mail
‘Explosive from the first page, THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS gleefully lays bare the lengths artists will go to in order to achieve their dreams, as well as the hypocrisy of gatekeepers who espouse the myth of meritocracy. Never shying away from complexity while also giving readers much to delight in, Warona Jay makes an unforgettable entrance to the world of literature. Layered, hyperaware, and as entertaining as it is incendiary, Jay’s debut is a hit.’ – Mateo Askaripour, author of BLACK BUCK
‘From the commanding, direct opening to all the beautiful lines – I was gripped! I was totally along for the ride with Eddie and Hugo; flawed characters with strong, distinctive voices. As the stakes and the tensions rise we can’t help but root for them! The Grand Scheme of Things is a propulsive, fast-paced read which also holds up a mirror to some very real problems in the performing arts world’ – Rachel Dawson, author of NEON ROSES
‘Pacey and deliciously wry, The Grand Scheme of Things feels like a front-row ticket to the season’s hottest two-hander. Warona Jay has crafted a clever, biting chronicle of institutional racism and implicit bias but also a moving plea for empathy” – Gaar Adams, author of GUEST PRIVILEGES
‘American Fiction meets Queenie: The Grand Scheme of Things skewers racism in the arts, while humorously and honestly exploring the importance of community, and what we’ll do for love and success. I couldn’t put it down” – Jenna Clake, author of DISTURBANCE
‘The Grand Scheme Of Things is a beautiful, funny must-read from a writer who shines the spotlight on theatre and its old-school, elitist ways. It’s five stars from me’ – Sophia A Jackson, Editor/Founder of Afridiziak Theatre News
‘Funny, fast-paced and gloriously queer, The Grand Scheme of Things is a nail-biting tale of racism in the British theatre industry. Jay’s writing is hard-hitting but hilarious, and the plot twists meant I couldn’t put this book down!’ – Jake Hall, author of THE ART OF DRAG and SHOULDER TO SHOULDER
‘Unconscious bias at its most entertaining. Enjoyable and heartbreaking, highlighting the truth of the world we live in’ – Tuyen Do, actor and writer
‘With a combination of wit and compassion, Jay offers a trenchant examination of systemic racism in the arts from the POVs of survivors, unwitting contributors and intentional participants, while at the same time shining a light on the drives that bind us all: the desire for love, success and a sense of worth in our communities. Jay doesn’t offer easy answers or simplistic characterisations: everyone is beautifully complicated – they keep you guessing from start to finish. What a fabulous debut novel!’ – Megan Campisi, author of THE SIN EATER
‘Sharply observed, The Grand Scheme of Things is an important book about bias, white privilege and gatekeeping in the theatre and publishing industry. The story is incredibly propulsive-I was kept guessing about whether Naledi and Hugo’s plan would succeed. Jay writes about intersectional identity and belonging with great compassion and precision. A brilliant story that exposes the myth of meritocracy’ – Haleh Agar, author of OUT OF TOUCH
Born in Botswana, raised in the West Midlands, UK and living in London, Warona Jay studied law at the University of Kent and King’s College London before switching to a creative writing PhD at Brunel. She was shortlisted for the Sony Young Movellist of the Year Award judged by Malorie Blackman and longlisted for Penguin Random House’s WriteNow Scheme in 2020.
The Grand Scheme of Things is her debut novel.
