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Of course, a novel isn’t much of anything if it can’t stand on its own - and Queenie passes that test with flying colors.

(Indeed, only a portion of the legend’s escapades figure in the 650-page book.)

Judging by what is known of her life - a story detailing all Oberon’s affairs would rival the Encyclopaedia Britannica. But this is not the case with Queenie, either. Second, it is often necessary in such novels to take rampant liberties with the facts, since the lives of most people - even stars - don’t necessarily offer non-stop adventure-drama. It may be sum and substance of the life of Merle Oberon, but it reads like Sydney Sheldon.

First, enjoyment often hinges on the reader’s familiarity with the real person - which, happily, is not the case with Queenie, a new novel by Michael Korda. Novels based on the lives of celebrities frequently run into two problems.