War Story

A Sharp, Satirical Tale of Ambition, Chaos, and the Media World

War Story by Sara Hely is a witty and fast-paced debut novel that skewers the pretensions of the publishing industry with razor-sharp humour. First published in 2002 by Headline, this clever comedy takes readers on a whirlwind journey through the chaotic world of book publishing, PR disasters, and corporate spin.

When Fiction Becomes Far Too Real

Chloe is a junior publicist with dreams of making it big in London’s cutthroat publishing scene. Her latest assignment? Promoting a supposedly “important” war memoir written by a reclusive, eccentric old soldier. But as Chloe digs deeper into the author’s past, she discovers that not everything adds up—and what started as a PR campaign spirals into a farcical mission to uncover the truth. Juggling demanding bosses, shallow celebrities, and absurd publicity stunts, Chloe quickly learns that in the world of fiction, lies sell faster than facts.

Perfect for Fans of Satirical, Industry-Inspired Fiction

War Story is a smart, engaging read perfect for fans of Helen Fielding, Nina Stibbe, or anyone who’s ever worked in an office. Sara Hely delivers a brilliant blend of farce, charm, and social commentary in a novel that’s both laugh-out-loud funny and strikingly relevant.