At the age of thirteen Maria Tambini already has a big voice. She wins a TV talent competition and leaves her small Scottish island for London and a full diary of television and stage work. Loosely based on the life of Lena Zavaroni, Personality includes real people such as Hughie Green and Les Dawson. This is a tale of pushy parents and grasping agents but O'Hagan also offers an insight into the fate of Italians living in Britain when World War Two began. You will care more for Maria as the book progresses and O'Hagan departs from the Zavaroni story. Will she be saved by love or destroyed by fame?
The light from the open fridge was fantastic. Maria spoke a few words to the audience under her breath.
