A Woman's Guide to Adultery

Initially a bit off-putting because of the narrator's deadpan, sardonic voice, this first novel becomes an absorbing chronicle of modern sexual mores as it illuminateswith a new twistthe age-old relationship between the sexes. Rose, the narrator, is one of a group of English academics and professionals in a university community, all of whom are intimately connected in a network of adulterous affairs. Although at first disapproving of extramarital relationships, Rose becomes vulnerable when she begins an affair with her tutor, Paul, who is married to Monica, who once had an affair with David, who is now involved with Jennifer . . . As Rose describes the liaisons and break-ups among her friends, she comes to some depressing conclusions: the only good men are already married, and they think philandering is their birthright; womenboth the wronged and the guiltydelude themselves about the men they love. New to this generation, however, is the higher proportion of women engaging in extramarital affairs, and their sense of themselves in that role: ``Once we had to be weak to be loved. Now we have to be strong.'' Wry, witty, intelligent, occasionally hilarious and finally moving, this novel carries an emotional wallop. 50,000 first printing; $50,000 ad/promo; Literary Guild featured alternate. (Feb.)