Blanche Vernon has been living on her own for several months, ever since her husband Bertie left her for a much younger woman. Formerly the consummate wife and homemaker, she has struggled to find a role for herself as an independent woman in late 20th-century London. She visits museums and volunteers at a hospital, but the days still drag on. Her ex-husband looks in on her from time to time, and seems to appreciate her cooking if not her conversation.

One day, while volunteering at the hospital, Blanche befriends Elinor, a little girl waiting with her mother Sally for an appointment. Blanche learns that Sally is trying to raise Elinor on her own, while her husband Paul is working elsewhere. Unfortunately the terms of his employment do not result in a steady paycheck, so Sally is living somewhat hand to mouth. Blanche inserts herself into their lives intending to help, but it soon becomes clear Sally is overly dependent on Blanche’s generosity and unwilling to pursue real solutions to her problems. As Blanche attempts to both help Sally and extricate herself from this awkward situation, she also develops her own sense of identity separate from Bertie, and begins to envision a new way of life for herself. But Anita Brookner throws in a twist that leaves the reader wondering if this ideal will be achieved.

Brookner’s novels are generally slow, quiet, character studies featuring strong women in difficult circumstances. The Misalliance is no exception. While it dragged in parts, it was a wonderful portrait of a woman of a certain age, in a certain place and time, overcoming adversity and finding her feet. ( )

This is very much a psychological study of a recent divorcee as she tries to come to grips with her own limitations. ( )