This sympathetic but no-nonsense biography of the great French popular singer acutely analyzes the appeal of her songs and faithfully recounts the episodes of her melodramatic life.
Here, for example, is a scene from one of her concerts in 1960, when she appeared near death (she was to die two years later at 47) but was still idolized in performance: ”The chiropractor worked on her neck until she was sufficiently relaxed to start. To his horror, and that of everyone else, she collapsed as soon as she began to sing. She looked to Vaimber (the
chiropractor) for help and he gave her a glass of Evian water, nothing more. She then sang 15 songs and did not break down. The audience acclaimed her to such an extent that all the mirrors in her dressing room were broken in the rush of admirers, and she had to sign autographs until 2 a.m.”
Though perceptively written, the book doesn`t pay much attention to dating events in Piaf`s life. This flaw, however, is balanced by the inclusion of a helpful bibliography, discography and checklist of songs.
