Family Life — Mary Elsie Robertson

Superb characterizatons and a strong sense of locale distinguish this new novel by the author of Speak, Angel. At the center of the story, which takes place on Nantucket during one summer, is the collapse of a marriage. Anthropologist Philip Sloan seems an unlikely candidate for an affair. Married to Estella, an artist, for 24 years, doting father of Liddy, Chrissy and Jasper, Philip believes himself content and in control of his life. He is taken by surprise when he is passionately attracted to Jane, a woman who reminds him of his first love. Philip leaves his family in the beach cottage where they have vacationed for years and moves with Jane to another part of the island. Robertson approaches her narrative from the viewpoints of all concerned. The tension and jealousy of the Philip/Jane/Estella triangle are sensitively explored, as are the feelings of the three Sloan children as the parents vie for their affection. This is a credible and disturbing story, told with feeling. (July 30)