Lamienne Verdut is known in her circles as a kind, friendly, enthusiastic and life-loving woman. Her senselessly wounded self made her lost self into a fictitious persona in the world of many affairs, sensual encounters and wild parties.

But when one takes a closer look at her ways to find a more complex side of her, who has been understood narrowly as a purveyor of frivolity, the celebrant of bacchanalian pleasure seeking, one will reveal an artiste in tune with the drastic social forces that transformed her epoch, making her moves in the secret world of high-rollers, businessmen and a glittery life.

This is a book which gets under the skin of her capacity, as there is much more here for those who want to read about the roistering, wine drinking, men devouring allegory. There’s also the real woman who suffered, struggled and strove to make a difference to her world.