First published 1985
Without source material available, I cannot provide specific details about the protagonist, scenes, or plot events of this 1985 novel by Penny Vincenzi. The title suggests themes of gullibility and exploitation, referencing P.T. Barnum's famous phrase about human nature and susceptibility to deception. Vincenzi typically writes about complex family dynamics, social climbing, and moral compromises in contemporary British settings. Her characters often face choices between personal desires and ethical obligations, navigating worlds of business, romance, and class distinctions where appearances deceive and motivations hide beneath polished surfaces.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: deception, ethical-choices
Setting: Britain
Period: 1985
192 pages · Paperback · SPHERE