La Grande Thérèse, by H. Spurling

Simon has a talent for discovering ... unusual books.  I always read his reviews and see what books I can include in my own list. When I read about La Grande Thérèse by Hilary Spurling, I was - I was cautious.  Surely such a grand scandal cannot be true?  can people be thus trusting (and eager to get a share in imaginative proceeds?) 

My before-the-holidays fried brain was aching for a light and entertaining reading (and a short one at that!), so this book was perfect for the job...