Strange book... perhaps a product of it's time. Mirelle is a mother of three, married to a travelling salesman and restless/rootless. She has a knack for attracting interesting friends, but having a male friend is very much frowned upon. Jarring notes are the constant "I'm an artist therefore better than this" theme; and the acceptance of husband who hits he when he's frustrated at life in general, and her in particular (for having a mind of her own) it is nicely written but ultimately unsatisfying. ( )

Anne McCaffrey is most famous for her Pern saga about dragons. However, she has written in other genres, including romance - like this book. It tells the story of a woman in an unhappy relationship who decides to sculpt a statue (Lucy). A simple act that brings some meaning to her. Anne's writing style is different here. It is simple, but elegant. The story is also simple, but touches a reader with a heroine we can identify with.

This is certainly not her best work, or even her best romance, but it was well worth reading. ( )

1986