A.S. Byatt's sequel to >The Virgin in the Garden< is an observation of intellectual and cultural life in England during the 1950s. Frederica Potter fits well into life at Cambridge University, hungry, as she is, for knowledge, sex and love. Meanwhile, back in Yorkshire, her sister settles for family life and in London Alexander Wedderburn struggles to write a play about Van Gogh. A Vintage title Frederica Potter arrives at Cambridge University greedy for knowledge, sex and love. Back in Yorkshire, her sister Stephanie abandons academia and is confronted with the boredom and frustrations of motherhood. Each sibling is desperate to shape their own future, but a horrifying event will soon change their lives forever.
