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Description edit see section history

Mary McCarthy's most celebrated novel portrays the lives, and aspirations of eight Vassar graduates. "The Group" meet in New York following commencement to attend the wedding of one of their members and reconvene seven years later at her funeral. The woman are complicated, compelling, vivid,... read more

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First Sentence edit see section history

It was June, 1933, one week after Commencement, when Kay Leiland Strong, Vassar '33, the first of her class to run around the table at the Class Day dinner, was married to Harald Petersen, Reed '27, in the chapel of St. George's Church, P.E., Karl F. Reiland, Rector.

Glossary edit see section history

  • mansarding: Referring to a mansard roof--a hip roof having two slopes on each side
  • lorgnon: a single or double eyeglass, as a monocle or pince-nez
  • pessary: diaphragm: a contraceptive device consisting of a flexible dome-shaped cup made of rubber or plastic
  • dipsomaniac: alcoholic: a person who drinks alcohol to excess habitually
  • N.R.A.: National Recovery Administration; one of Roosevelt's New Deal programs
  • antimacassar: A protective covering for the backs of chairs and sofas
  • oestrum: a regularly occurring period of sexual receptivity in most female mammals, except humans, during which ovulation occurs and copulation can take place; heat
  • idée fixe: an idea that dominates one's mind especially for a prolonged period : obsession
  • daisy chain: such a chain used as a garland or carried on festive days by a group of women college students.
  • sang-froid: aplomb: great coolness and composure under strain
  • hoi polloi: multitude: the common people generally; "separate the warriors from the mass"
  • Dalcroze: Émile Jaques-Dalcroze (July 6, 1865 – July 1, 1950), was a Swiss composer, musician and music educator who developed eurhythmics, a method of learning and experiencing music through movement
  • meed: a fitting reward
  • canalize: to give a particular direction to or provide an outlet for; channel
  • impecunious: without money; penniless
  • aureole: a less common word for halo
  • nimbus: A splendid atmosphere or aura, as of glamour, that surrounds a person or thing.
  • colophon: A publisher's emblem or trademark placed usually on the title page of a book.
  • solipsist: One who believes the theory that the self is the only reality.
  • liebfraumilch: a style of semi-sweet white German wine which may be produced in the regions Rheinhessen, Palatinate, Rheingau and Nahe. The name is a German word literally meaning "Beloved lady's milk"
  • sweet woodruff: a perennial plant, Galium odoratum or Asperula odorata, with small white flowers; the leaves are used for flavouring wines and liqueurs
  • May bowle: also known as Maitrank, Maiwein, Maibowle and Waldmeisterbowle, is the name of a German beverage that uses aromatized wine as a base (see sangría). May wine is served in the spring, traditionally on the May Day holiday
  • faiblesse: Fr., weakness
  • pram: a baby carriage
  • dauphin: formerly, the eldest son of the King of France and direct heir to the throne
  • silicosis: a lung disease caused by inhaling particles of silica or quartz or slate
  • horripiliate: have one's hair stand on end and get goosebumps
  • epater: Fr., to impress
  • French leave: an abrupt and unannounced departure (without saying farewell)
  • otiose: serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being
  • refractory: not responding to treatment; temporarily unresponsive
Show all 31 glossary entries

Series & Lists edit see section history

This book is in Guardian 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read. (authoritative list)
This is book 2 of 10 in Publishers Weekly Bestselling Novels In 1963. (authoritative list)

Preceded by The Shoes of the Fisherman, and followed by Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters / Seymour: An Introduction.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Mary McCarthy (Author)

Awards edit see section history

Classification edit see section history

Books Influenced by This Book edit see section history

   
  • A Fortunate Age: A Novel

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