Natural Selection

The lower rungs of London's literary world provide the setting for this short first novel that sometimes seems to be expanded diary entries. Like the author, protagonist Maureen Ryan is an Irish woman in London; she describes her job as ""a slave in a publishers.'' Desperate to appear literate, sophisticated and creative, she makes many acquaintances but few friends and there is a universal pall of disaffection, envy, resentment and dissatisfaction in her circle. Maureen eventually becomes a celebrated author but little else changes and she wonders if love and art are incompatible. Evocative but depressing, this novel shows a talent and promise that bear watching. (February)