2 DECEMBER 1989, Page 36

Jennifer Paterson

THE Real Charlotte by Somerville and Ross was my all round favourite fiction. A most enchanting book and the obvious precursor of all the splendid, dotty Irish books about society and riding. For non- fiction I choose A Little Original Sin: The Life and Work of Jane Bowles by Millicent Dillon (Virago, £10.95). An absolutely fascinating biography of this deeply tire- some self-professed cocktail lesbian with a devoted and much put-upon husband, Paul Bowles. I could have strangled her but she seemed to be much loved and cared for by kind friends.

I am still plodding through Citizens by Simon Schama (Viking, £20).