At 80, the widowed Mimi accepts that death is probably close at hand, yet she is content enough watching Grace, her actress daughter, prepare for the role of Gertrude in Ham- let. Meanwhile Grace's daughter, Polly, arrives back from London with her latest and, no doubt, unsuitable boyfriend. Set in a gorgeously atmospheric house overlooking Dublin Bay, this wry, assured, imaginative and well-observed performance yet again confirms Jennifer Johnston's flair for exploring emotions and doubts, fears and desires. As ever her intelligence is tempered by humour and practicality. There is a briskness and honesty about this novel, particularly in the characterisation of the two main players, which compliments the magic and romance - and above all, Johnston's central thesis which suggests, as Mimi observes, "dreams only lead to trouble".
Eileen Battersby
