This was good fun while it lasted, and part of the fun is in Maurois's eccentric, dandyish style. But some readers (me) may also find that style a little exhausting, and I wonder if it betrays a lack of deeper biographical chops. I didn't get far enough to find out. I was a few chapters into this when I stumbled on a cheap copy of Curtis Cate's biography in a used bookstore, which seems so far to be more my speed. ( )