The book is scarce as hen's teeth

Found a copy for $15. After reading it, I think the screenwriter did a good job, distilling the stories of Vivien and her boarders.

In the book, Lan's story is a bit different. His sister had an affair with a wealthy married man, much older. He divorced his wife to marry her, and his society friends won't socialize with him anymore because of the scandal. So he latches on to Lan, buys him clothes, watches, a fancy car, and expects Lan to be at his beck and call for golf, sailing, bridge, etc. Lan's relationship with his mother is fine, if a bit strained.

Nadine/Alice is basically a call girl, after failing as an actress. Her mother pushed her to become famous, and never let her try her hand at anything else. So when the acting jobs didn't come, that's how she supported herself.

Vivien didn't sing in a bar -- she was also a "loose woman", accepting gifts and money from men, until she met Mr. Leslie.

The Pooles -- we never learn why the daughter died, just that she had a serious illness, several surgeries, etc. Their back story is that the daughter was pretty, vain, and selfish. The father doted on her but Mrs. Poole recognized the girl for what she was. Mom spent her life protecting Mr. Poole from any kind of heartbreak.

And of course Vivien and "John" slept together from Day One. They had seven vacations, in Florida, not California. During their final vacation, Vivien knew his health was bad and he died just a few days after they parted.

The book is worth reading. Vivien is a strong, caring, intelligent, sensitive, thoughtful woman, often disappointed with the way the world is going but optimistic. A passage where she reflects on her time with John made me tear up.