It is hard to conceive the author of Passion Spins the Plot and the subsequent titles of the trilogy writing a novel that has almost a fantasy quality -- although it may be read as a satire on fantasy. It is an idyll, built around a country bumpkin who visualizes herself as la belle dame sans merci -- and almost throws on the dust heap, the unrecognizable romance at her feet. Delicately done -- with underlying tragedy, veiled by comedy disguise.