Books: Lonely Mom

MRS. BRIDGE (254 pp.) — Evan S. Connell Jr.—Viking ($2.75).

Since people presumably enjoy reading about themselves, this strongly appealing book should be enjoyed by legions of women who will see themselves (or at least their neighbors) in its heroine's everyday crises and commonplaces, stupidities and minor conquests, emotions half understood and alternatives wholly missed. Unlike choleric, Mom-baiting Philip Wylie, Author Connell sees the Mom of his first novel as a saccharine, easily swayed and sympathetic character. Far from monstrously dominating her husband and three children, Mrs. Bridge is so tame and timid...

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