THE KNIFE AND THE NEEDLE

by Diana Gaines ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

A woman's novel has the distinction (this is not quite the right word) of including some really sex-gorged scenes in what would otherwise have been conventionally categorized as feminine fiction and perhaps it should be chaperoned before it is circulated. The title too is something of a misnomer since- while Orrin Quimby is a successful surgeon in Chicago, and has a clinic to head up, this story is largely concerned with his marriage to Kay. After some ten years he is perhaps too busy to notice that she is somewhat restive. The unexpected visit of Sal Scott, whom she had known before Orrin (an abandoned afternoon on the beach; a later abortion) leads to a second lapse quickly regretted. However Scott, more insistent, returns to rape her, then in his desire to avenge his repudiation sets fire to Orrin's clinic. The tragedy, however, serves its purpose (the Quimbys are closer than ever) and so do the other inflammable sequences- for those who like to go to bed with a book.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1962

Categories: FICTION