A Natural Curiosity

The novel continues the psychological and social exploration of characters common to much of Drabble's novels. New York Times reviewer Judith Grossman described the novel as furthering Drabble's attempts to explore the same style as Virginia Woolf, with attempt's at realism that mix "the subjective feel of living and the rational, judicial interpretation of that experience, by which we control it in retrospect."^[3] Chicago Tribune reviewer describes Roberta Rubenstein describes the novel as a continuation of Drabble's exploration of "the intricate pattern of contemporary experience—from the natural exchanges that animate friendships and romantic relationships to the "unnatural" social pathology that runs like a fault line beneath the surface of ordinary events."^[4]

Reception of the novel was mixed. Publishers Weekly positively writes that "Drabble's quirky characters often seem to exist to vent their author's spleen, they animate an involving story."^[1] The L.A. Times reviewer Hermione Lee described the novel as exemplifying "Drabble's best skills [depicting] difficult social scenes, sharp emotions."^[2] However, in conclusion, L.A. Times described the novel as "Exasperating [but] you have to admire her compunction."^[2] Chicago Tribune reviewer Roberta Rubenstein takes these depictions as more positive, concluding "Brilliantly developing these speculations on the nature of human behavior and personality, Drabble sustains the reader`s curiosity about how matters will be resolved."^[4]

Other reviews are more negative. Kirkus Reviews described the novel as a "slighter effort" than The Radiant Way, concluding that the novel is a "A dishevelled work, then, but from an author whose own humanist curiosity is as appealing as ever."^[5] New York Times reviewer Judith Grossman though describing the female characters as complex and interesting, concludes that Drabble's attempt at "rummag[ing] busily in what Woolf called the great bran pie of literature for good stuff cheap [despite] determination and wit, [hasn't] yielded [...] resonance and power."^[3]