Book description
' "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.' 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.
