Jennifer Fever: Older Men/Younger Women

Author of I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can and Defects of the Heart, Gordon presents a third potential bestseller, on the menace of pretty young women. Grouped here under the name ``Jennifer,'' they are the ones for whom older men leave their wives, the ``Janets.'' The author quotes people interviewed both here and abroad: the Jennifers (Gordon notes that she was one herself); males who catch Jennifer fever; and Janets, the forsaken wives, who are left to care for children rejected by their fathers and who, often with little money, represent the tragic figures in the triangles. Benjamin Spock's former wife Jane talks with anguish of the famed pediatrician's defection, as does Dory Previn, deserted by composer Andre. The reader is hard put, on the other hand, to sympathize with the aging Lotharios, disillusioned when the company of their young sweeties turns sour. As for the Jennifers, all agree that they are drawn to older men in established positions. Gays also lose lovers to younger partners, but lesbians, at least those surveyed here, remain committed to each other, usually for life. 100,000 first printing; $100,000 ad/promo; first serial to Good Housekeeping; Literary Guild alternate; author tour. (June)