Trusts and betrayals

Press, 18 February 1989, Page 27

Trusts and betrayals

Trust. By Mary Flanagan. Penguin, 1988. 292 pp. $14.99 (paperback). “Trust” is a first novel, hithough the author has published short stories and written screenplays and reviews. American by birth,' but resident in England, Mary Flanagan can move her characters from one country to the other with authority. The novel is divided into four sections, each dealing with one of the main characters. In fact, each section could be read as a self-contained story, but they each advance the plot and make the whole work satisfying. Eleanor, intelligent,. witty, unexpectedly rich, leaves a trust fund for the daughter of the artist she had lived with for 10 tempestuous years. She chooses Charles Bevan, a steady and trustworthy lawyer, to administer it, knowing that Jason the artist wants no wealth either lor himself or his daughter. ' ■ ■

Felix, a romantic character of mysterious origins and dubious dealings, winds his way into the lives of the others, with interesting results. The heroine, Clover, is as natural as her name suggests. She betrays the trust her father puts in her with catastrophic results when she first confesses. Indeed, it seems that Charles is the only character who does not betray anyone. Or does he, in the last analysis? The dialogue between Charles and his embittered wife Anthea is a masterpiece of polished and witty writing. The action takes place against the backdrop of the art world with its pretensions and intrigues. Altogether this is an absorbing novel, not so much about trust as about the loss of trust and faith. The conclusion, however, redeems it from total bleakness. — Ngaire Orlowski.