Sexual Intercourse

Isobel's decision to become pregnant by mama's boy Norman in order to win her father Anthony's love results in tragedy when Anthony prefers his granddaughter to his daughter and Norman takes his relationship with Isobel seriously

Unremittingly grim with touches of sardonic humor, this first novel by British author Boyt traces the ill-fated attempts of Isobel to win the love of her cold, neglectful father. One gritty sexual act with Norman, the ever-protected son of her next door neighbor, results in a pregnancy that Isobel sees as a way to awaken her father's interest. Ironically, he lavishes full attention on the baby. Bizarre action, trapped characters, and numerous bleak subplots present some technical problems in the pace and flow of the novel, but the grotesque, inventive ending helps. Not for the conservative or faint of heart. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 5/1/90.
-Elizabeth Guiney Sandvick, North Hennepin Community Coll., Minneapolis
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.