Just Friends

In this posthumous novel, Klein has once again created an accurate and amusing portrayal of the sophisticated world of privileged New York teens. Isabel and Stuart have been best friends since childhood, and Isabel has always believed that this friendship will eventually grow into a romance. In a perverse effort to hide these feelings, Isabel plays matchmaker by suggesting that her sexy friend Ketti pursue Stuart. Soon Ketti and Stuart are happily involved and Isabel is desperately jealous. Fired by envy and a spirit of adventure, Isabel starts dating Gregory, a gangling classmate who is obviously smitten by her. Klein's fluid writing allows Isabel's inner dialogue to expand into an intricately plotted novel, peopled with memorable characters. Ages 12-up. (Mar.)