Somehow this doesn't come off. The story has more bite than the routine woman's book -- as lovely lady stoops to folly and gets what's coming to her -- but the timing seems wrong, there is no sense of present day background, the style lacks the finish it should have. Definitely a woman's novel of sex-conflict, as pampered Irene tries her hand on dominating famous novelist McNeil, who will not be bent. A sudden death, and the rebellion of Irena's husband bring an empty victory, as the bitter farce is played out against the conventional town of ""Madras"" in upper New York state.