<DIV><DIV><P style="MARGIN: 2.6pt 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 13.5pt 388.5pt 480.3pt 582.0pt right 739.35pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none" class=MsoNormal><B>In this novel, first published in 1964,  Elizabeth Taylor skillfully and subtly demonstrates the </B><B>terrible danger of self-love, most deadly to those who live within its shadow</B></P><P style="MARGIN: 2.6pt 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 13.5pt 388.5pt 480.3pt 582.0pt right 739.35pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none" class=MsoNormal> </P><P style="MARGIN: 2.6pt 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 13.5pt 388.5pt 480.3pt 582.0pt right 739.35pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none" class=MsoNormal><I>"Here I am!" Flora called to Richard as she went downstairs. For a second, Meg felt disloyalty. It occurred to her of a sudden that Flora was always saying that, and that it was in the tone of one giving a lovely present. She was bestowing herself.</I></P><P style="MARGIN: 2.6pt 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 13.5pt 388.5pt 480.3pt 582.0pt right 739.35pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none" class=MsoNormal> </P><P style="MARGIN: 2.6pt 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 13.5pt 388.5pt 480.3pt 582.0pt right 739.35pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none" class=MsoNormal>The soul of kindness is what Flora believes herself to be. Tall, blonde, and beautiful, she appears to have everything under control?her home, her baby, her husband Richard, her friend Meg, Kit?Meg's brother, who has always adored Flora?and Patrick the novelist and domestic pet. Only the bohemian painter Liz refuses to become a worshipper at the shrine. Flora entrances them all, dangling visions of happiness and success before their spellbound eyes. All are bewitched by this golden tyrant, all conspire to protect her from what she really is. All, that is, except the clear-eyed Liz?it is left to her to show them that Flora's kindness is the sweetest poison of them all.</P></DIV></DIV>