The train now departing : two novellas

Summary: These two beautifully accomplished and thematically linked novellas are deceptively profound in their exploration of emotional isolation and identity within human relationships. Each story features a single middle-aged woman who to the outside world seems totally self-assured and content with their quiet and well-ordered lives. But each story features as well a man of seemingly no importance other than as a companion for the occasional meal or an outing in polite society. In "The Train Now Departing" a woman has an accidental encounter with a travel writer. During their encounter they strike up an acquaintance and begin meeting for long afternoon lunches whenever he's in town. In "When The Mousetrap Closes" Edith, like her predecessor, desires to embrace more of life but has never summoned the courage to take the initiative. Subconsciously grieving over the loss of her mother, Edith is anchored to the house and the life they shared, cocooned in the safe sentimental past, unable to move on. She's become a master of avoidance, proclaiming that any life-altering decisions will be made "when The Mousetrap closes," and she's confident this is unlikely. But a chance meeting with an actor who seems interested in her companionship becomes an epiphany for Edith; a painful recognition of the void hidden carefully under the surface. - "Book Reporter"