Book Rec of the Day 1/7/07

LITERARY FICTION

Think of Rameau’s Niece as the younger sister of Possession. Both are about academic women who encounter old books that make them rethink their notions of love. But while Possession is the sophisticated older sister, Rameau’s Niece is the sparkly, funny youngster. All of Schine’s novels are lively romps, and Rameau’s Niece may be her very best.

RAMEAU’S NIECE, by Cathleen Schine (Plume, 1994)