Crossword Genius

Rewritten novel isn't ruined (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

insolvent

'ruined' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'rewritten novel isn't' is the wordplay.
'rewritten' is an anagram indicator.
'novel'+'isnt'='novelisnt'
'novelisnt' anagrammed gives 'INSOLVENT'.

(Other definitions for insolvent that I've seen before include "without the means to pay" , "deep in debt?" , "Gone bust, without a bean" , "Broke" , "unable to raise the wind" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app