linking narrative which includes extracts from the Master's diaries as
well as inter- views with friends and neighbours, the Whole embellished with a few recent pho- tographs by Adrian Boot. The production has an amateurish flavour, and it is a pity that Mr Salewicz chose not to include some of the best-known Coward-in-Jamaica anecdotes from other sources, such as the story of Ian Fleming, Rosamond Lehmann and the dead squid. But in a way this ama- teurishness is part of its appeal, very much in character with the selection of informal snapshots chosen from Coward's own photograph albums, which is the main point of the book. Here we see the sociable Noel partying with Terence Rattigan, Anton Dolin, Alec Guinness; pensive Noel gazing out to sea; Noel working on a paint- ing; Noel lounging on the sand. Elsewhere three naked male guests teasingly cover themselves (just) with their towels; the Queen Mother arrives for lunch; Sophia Loren holds hands with Peter Ustinov; and Joan Sutherland poses provocatively in an ill-advisedly skimpy poncho.
It is a slightly unexpected book to see emerge from the Gollancz stable, and the numerous literals and Mr Salewicz's own stylistic infelicities must have the meticu- lous Sir Victor spinning in his grave. Nonetheless, every serious Coward enthusi- ast will want to own Firefly, and I can see it fetching surprising prices in arcane little catalogues in years to come.
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