Lightning

Cover Type: Hardcover
Book Condition: Very Good
Jacket Condition: Very Good
Publisher: Bantam Press
Publisher Place: London
Publisher Year: 1995
Edition: First Edition

Description: 396 pages. Book and Jacket are both in Very good condition throughout.

Publishers Description: By the author of "The Gift". This is the story of a woman whose life is changed by one swift, unexpected stroke of fate, challenging the strength of her marriage. Industry Reviews A happy family is shattered and scattered when a career woman is diagnosed with breast cancer: Steels (The Gift, 1994, etc.) very damp - indeed, heavy-weeping - latest. Beautiful Alexandra Parker (her legs are long, her hair is red) - a top-flight Manhattan attorney specializing in labor law and libel - has been been happily married for 17 years to handsome Sam Parker, a top-flight venture capitalist. Alexandra and Sam are the middle-aged parents (shes 42) of adorable four-year-old Annabelle. Then one day Alex has a routine mammogram, and her world shatters: She will have to have surgery to remove a large malignant mass. Even before the radical mastectomy, however, and then afterward at home, what becomes horrifyingly clear to Alex is that her husband cant cope with her terrors and grief. At one point, Sam accuses her of "whining" and demands: "Why cant you suffer quietly" (It seems that his mothers death from cancer has immobilized compassion). Then, for Alex, there are six months of chemotherapy. While Sam succumbs to the siren call of Daphne the British bombshell, his wifes balding head is being held by assistant partner Brock in marathon regurgitations in the office bathroom. Eventually, Brock and Alex (even before the six months are past) become lovers, Sam begins to have doubts about Daphne, and Annabelle is shuttled back and forth between parents. Then disaster strikes again when Sam and his partners are indicted for fraud and embezzlement. Is it the slammer for Sam Will Alex solve her dilemma of loving both Brock the Kind and Sam the Pain, still her (now repentent) husband Steel stretches the suspense until the last few pages. It was inevitable that prolific Steel would tackle a (rightfully) current concern, but - well, suffering along with Alex does not offer typical Steelian recreation. (Kirkus Reviews)

ISBN: 9780593022634