Public Image

As the title of this novel suggests, Annabel's public image is one of the important subjects of this book. Annabel's career is founded on her public image as the English Lady-Tiger. Her first major film success, The House on the Piazza, was promoted by appealing to her image as the English Lady-Tiger. Subsequently, this public image was cultivated further due to the efforts of Luigi Leopardi's press secretary, Francesca.

Annabel becomes attached to her public image as the English Lady-Tiger because her career revolves around this image. This image originated with her first film success and all of her subsequent film roles exploited this image. Annabel recognizes the importance of her public image to her career and she is prepared to do everything in her power to preserve it.

After her husband Frederick commits suicide, Annabel realizes that her public image is in jeopardy. All of her...