12 OCTOBER 1996, Page 34

Reviewer reviewed

Sir: It must be a rare reviewer of a new publication who devotes only four words to the book under review (Jacqueline Bouvier: An Intimate Memoir, Books, 28 September), in this case 'this little pot-boiler', and the remainder of his long review entirely to himself (Alastair Forbes), and gets away with it. It would have been rather nice to know what the author, John H. Davis, had to say, just for once — but given the review- er, small hope.

Hermione O'Donovan 45 Broad Street, Alresford, Hampshire