If you are still looking for a fun summer read, pick up Villa America, Liza Klaussmann's fictionalized account of Sara and Gerald Murphy and their seemingly fabulous life on the French Riviera in the 1920's.

The Murphys met, married and abandoned New York to create a beautiful world for themselves, eventually building the Villa America near Antibes.  They virtually invented la dolce vita à la française with long days at the beach followed by even longer soirees fueled by Gerald's cocktails.  High drama ensues as Cole Porter, Ernest Hemingway, and Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald join their expat coterie. 

Let's remember these are the people who inspired Fitzgerald's Tender is the Night, and behind the sunshine and champagne lifestyle lurks a lot of misery: unhappy marriages, frustrated ambitions, madness and tragedy play roles alongside the colorful characters.  Klaussmann admittedly has taken some creative liberty and overall, she succeeds in giving us a plausible tale of the lives and loves of the Lost Generation.  Highly recommended. 

Reviewed by KV Marin