Domestic Life: A Novel in Parts

This flip, hip case-study of contemporary domesticity zeros in on Ellen, a painter putting in 80 thankless hours a week to run an art museum in Houston. Home is no more restful, however--she's the stepmother of a uncontrollable girl. Six years ago, when Ellen fell in love with Kenneth, a musician playing a string of dives, his three-year-old, Tenny, was part of the deal. Now Ellen and Kenneth have a baby, Kenneth is a suit-wearing nine-to-fiver and Tenny lives with them Tuesdays, Thursdays and alternate weekends. She is supposed to spend the remaining days with Raylene, her impossibly irresponsible mother, who refuses to divorce Kenneth. (``Understand: Raylene is Nutssic cap N ,'' advises narrator Ellen). First-novelist Webb focuses on the long, triangular battles of Ellen, Raylene and Tenny, quoting Ellen's exchanges with lawyers and therapists as well. Tenny breaks Ellen's heart along with her antiques, doing her best to destroy as much as possible. But Ellen's parents have taught her to ``adapt or die,'' and the way she puts up with Tenny becomes both funny and poignant in Webb's bravely breezy telling. (July)