Inter/View

In essays that convey intelligent, focussed conversation, Pearlman ( Reinventing Reality ) and Henderson (Joan Didion ) distill their interviews with 28 American women novelists. The women, of diverse age, ethnic origin, sexual preference and marital status, include young writers such as Francine Prose and Mona Simpson, and older: Harriet Doerr, M.F.K Fisher and nonegenarian Janet Lewis. There are women who write in many genres, such as Marge Piercy and Joyce Carol Oates. Carolyn See and Gail Godwin--whose acute analysis of modern fiction is punctuated by the repeated phrase, ``It's fun to write books''--project a strong presence; Irini Spanidou is fiercely passionate; Josephine Humphreys and Nancy Willard are gentler. Alternating between East and West coast writers, the interviews develop a volleying rhythm that burdens uninterrupted reading. Dipped into, however, this collection of unfailingly perceptive reflections is a treasure trove for readers of today's fiction. (Sept.)