Heavyweight studies of Margaret Thatcher and Laurence Olivier were standouts but the real gem was a life of an Italian poet, showman and fantasist' See Viv Groskop's fiction books of the year hereThree kinds of biographies make ideal Christmas presents " the political or theatrical legend; the literary restoration; and the maverick life. This year has turned out to be a bumper one in all three of these categories. D…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:00AM on December 8, 2013