VITA E MORTE DI ADRIA: The Life and Death of Adria

A rather unusual and not wholly credible story set in early twentieth century Italy and France of a woman of unusual beauty who determines that her primary function in the world is to serve this endowment. She withdraws from her husband and two children, and forces her servants, friends and family to play handmaid, devoting her life to the accentuation and preservation of her beauty, and eventually ruining those about her in her fanatical pursuit. Light -- but interesting reading.