From Publishers Weekly
Despite its title, the book isn't gospel, nor does its eponymous hero invoke any power higher than middle age for his infatuation with Carrie Summers, the papers of whose renowned grandfather he is researching for a biography. Carrie, a charming, freckled, half-educated maverick, has turned the great man's estate into a garden center and is more interested in the needs of her flowers than to Mark Lamming's importunings. In the event, however, he persuades her to drive with him to France to interview her flighty mother; on the way they make love, an activity in which Carrie participates with pagan-like wholeheartedness. But when Mark's wife joins them, Carrie runs away to Paris, there to meet a man for whom she feels a yearning so uncontrollable that, newly tender and perceptive, she grieves for poor Mark. Thus summarized, this accomplished novel seems little more than a variant on the triangle theme, but its virtues are distinctive. Mark's torment is genuine, Carrie's awkward grace appealing, the situation is handled with a blend of sentiment and fun. Lively (Perfect Happiness, etc.) has the gift of making readers care about her characters; this novel was short-listed for the 1984 Booker Prize. November 15
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Lively is a British novelist ( Treasures of Time, Judgement Day, Perfect Hap piness ). In her latest novel, Mark Lam ming is writing the biography of an au thor, Gilbert Strong. He visits the late writer's home as part of his research and meets Carrie, his granddaughter, who runs a garden center there. Mark finds himself unexpectedly attracted to Carrie (he's unfortunately already mar ried to domineering Diane). Mark and Carrie take a trip to Franceostensibly to interview Carrie's motherwhich leads to a confrontation between Carrie and Diane. Interspersed with the plot are Mark's musings and research on Strong's mysterious past. Despite a dis appointing ending, Anglophiles will en joy According to Mark. Christine King, SUNY at Stony Brook Lib.
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.
