McCarthy, Mary: The Group (1991)
496 pages
English language
Published Dec. 28, 1991
The Group is the best-known novel of American writer Mary McCarthy. It made New York Times Best Seller list in 1963 and remained there for almost two years. In 1966, United Artists released a film adaptation of the novel directed by Sidney Lumet.The novel touched on controversial topics for its time, such as free love, contraception, abortion, lesbianism, and mental illness. It was banned in Australia, Italy, and Ireland.
The Group surprised me. I had expected something dry, but I couldn't help but be drawn in. McCarthy's prose style is what one might call sprawling, but not without purpose. Ultimately, I could not put the book down for the last 80 pages or so. Well worth reading.
