The Constant Gardener John Le CarrÃ© Headline Â£16.99, pp456 Buy it at BOL. John Le CarrÃ©'s novels may go on the shelves next to Tom Clancy (and sell as many copies) but if his popularity is due to a belief that he adheres to the Boy Scout code of fiction, then his public are reading him for the wrong reasons.
The term divan is often used interchangeably with couch or sofa, but more specifically refers to a couch with pillows for its back and arms. A standard or traditional couch is designed with three seat cushions, cushioned arms or sides and a cushioned back.
diva. Also known as a prima donna (first lady), and especially in an opera. Refers to the leading lady of the production. The male counterpart is the divo. Plural, including male and female singers, is divi (DEE-vee), or, if just female singers, dive (DEE-vay). Also refers to a brat ty, demanding, self-centered person, regardless of whether they're a performer or not. Here comes our diva, the spinto soprano Catarina Cassotto... and our divo, the lyric tenor Roberto Daza. Britney Spears-there's a diva.