From the opening chapter Christabel Caine is petted and spoiled, worshipped by adoring parents and doting aunts. Only her uncle John sees through the veneer of beauty to the self-centered narcissist that is the true Christabel. But Christabel is clever, and creates for herself a most beautiful web from which no mere man can escape. Charming conquest after conquest, Christabel takes what she wants, regardless of the hurt feelings of the women she leaves in her wake.
The movie 'Born to Be Bad' starring Joan Fontaine as Christabel Caine was loosely based on this novel. It's a wonderful portrait of a woman who beguiles and deceives her way through life in order to get what she wants. ( )