"'Beaumarchais' Spanish adventure is related with wit and high spirits by the distinguished historian Hugh Thomas.' Antonia Fraser 'Hugh Thomas has written a brief, witty and enlightening account of the origins of those two key works: The Barber of Seville and The Marriage of Figaro. He brings to life Beaumarchais in the glittering epoch of profound frivolity before the French Revolution ruined all.' Paul Johnson 'a delightfully readable and engrossing book, whose main intention is to relate the extraordinary circumstances that led a former watchmaker to write two of the most influential and popular plays of the eighteenth century.' Michael Jacobs, Literary Review '... a learned and lively book.' Raymond Carr, The Spectator 'This book is tremendous fun to read. It is nourished, moreover, by an extensive root system: Beaumarchais's plays, personal correspondence and memoirs, together with meticulous familiarity with earlier biographies of the dramatist, contemporary travellers' accounts, and scholarly historical work about eighteenth-century Spain.' Eric Southworth, Times Literary Supplement"
