The friends and relatives of Edward Lannion and Marian Fox are gathered at Hatting Hall in readiness for their wedding. On the night before the ceremony is to take place, however, Edward receives word that Marian cannot go through with it. Thus begins a search for the missing Marian that will significantly change the course of events. Although this is lighter than the usual fare served by Murdoch (The Green Knight, LJ 12/1/93), it still explores the big religious and philosophical questions. And as usual, there is a mysterious figure hovering at the periphery, quietly affecting the lives of all the players. In this case, it is a manservant called Jackson, who has insinuated himself into the lives of the main characters and who, while attending to their needs, has made himself indispensable. Although not quite up to Murdoch's usual standards, this romantic novel is recommended for literary collections.

-?Barbara Love, Kingston P.L., Ontario

Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The late Iris Murdoch was an author of universal acclaim. Her novels tackled everyday ethical and moral concerns, exploring the function of myth in making sense of one's life. She won the Booker prize in 1978 for The Sea, The sea. In addition to books, she was also a playwright, her most successful play being "Servants and the Snow." Most recently, her husband wrote and participated in the film dedicated to her life and works. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.