Douglas Kennedy: The Pursuit of Happiness

By SARAH McRAE*

You could describe this novel as the thinking woman's Mills and Boon. To Douglas Kennedy's credit, though, the gossipy romantic and domestic detail combines seamlessly with serious political and professional events to provide a great read.

The story centres on the lives of two gutsy New York women, the contemporary Kate Mallone, who is feeling less than fresh after her mother's death, and the curiously self-contained ex-writer Sara Smythe.

Sara tells her own story, starting in the 1940s when she is in her early 20s. We learn of her break from her conservative parents, her shift to New York and the first professional writing assignments that led to a career in journalism.

Sara imparts the joys and agonies that go with crafting a life alone. Significantly, there is her early emotional plunge on meeting the charismatic Jack Mallone, Kate's father.

Sara's story includes her left-leaning brother Eric. Sara's and Eric's writing careers develop following the postwar growth in self-expression. The McCarthy inquiry into anti-American activities appears in stark contrast to this freedom, and the siblings do not escape its tentacles.

The Pursuit of Happiness documents the emotional journey of interesting and credible characters. The blend of fact and fiction works well. Minor criticisms include some slack editing and that Kate's and Sara's narratives are similar. But The Pursuit of Happiness is a fresh, if slightly pulpy, prompt to reassess Western freedom of association and political expression.

Random House

$34.95

* Sarah McRae is a Wellington reviewer.