The Sycamore Tree

Nina is happily married to Gael until his recently published book rouses the ire of a not-quite-there critic Howard intent on becoming the mover and shaker of Londons literary circles. Howard seduces Nina while Howards wife Elizabeth becomes involved with an Hungarian exile who befriends and is befriended by Gael leading to an utterly unexpected and tragic outcome for all. Christine Brooke-Roses second novel is a waspish satire of the 50s London literary scene and a story of madness and ill-fated lust-an entertaining novel from her early quartet of realist-mode tragicomedies.