Rebekah Louise Louise itibaren Paunat, France itibaren Paunat, France

I found the narrator's language bulky and unbelievable at times (she's a smart woman, she should be able to master the basics of English grammar). I think the real problem, though, was that I just didn't like Magda all that much. She's like one of those people you know and respect but don't want to go out for pizza with. Also, the title of this book gave my Catholic mother a heart attack.

Claire Tomalin's biography of Dora Jordan, a poor Irish actress who later became the mistress of the Duke of Clarence (future King William IV) is dense but engrossing. Together they had 10 children and she continued her career as a famous actress throughout their relationship. The ending is shocking and unforgettable: she dies in misery, alone and rejected by nearly everyone she ever knew.