num_pages: 245
description: These three short novels have one theme in common: the meaning of maturity. In each a woman approaching middle age, or already arrived at it, faces a crisis involving a profound emotional struggle. The different problems and their solutions dramatically illustrate the homely fact that character becomes destiny.In "The Doctor's Wife" Nan Broome faces the problem of being married to a man who has given her affectionate respect, scrupulous fidelity, but whose love always belonged to another woman. A rising tide of events forces the never-acknowledged triangle to the surface -- and brings the Broomes to terms with themselves and their marriage."The Bewitched Spinster" gives us an unmarried woman in her fifties who has thought to surmount inner loneliness by outer detachment. The wise and impartial counselor -- that was the role of Kate Kinney, librarian, until the advent of a young boarder in her house churns up the still waters of her existence. When he departs, Kate is no longer merely an observer of life, but involved in living it herself."The Merry Month of May" tells a crescendo tale of narrowly averted tragedy, of love turning selfward rather than otherword. Ann Bogan, wife of a moneyless, life-loving painter, resents her role of fetcher and carrier, penny-watcher and worrier, Longing only to love and be loved, Ann's resentment grows until she is finally pushed to the verge of violence, and thereby resolves her emotional conflict.
language: English
title: The Merry Month of May and two Other Short Novels
publisher: Viking