The Company She Keeps by Mary McCarthy

 

Summary (from the publisher): These six brilliantly written episodes, brought together in Mary McCarthy's first novel, create a fascinating portrait of a 1930s New York social circle. Based loosely on the author's own life, the book follows a young bohemian woman, Margaret Sargent, through her experiences and lost loves in a time of coming war.

Review: A striking first novel, presented as six independent vignettes, all features a young bohemian woman of 1930s New York, Margaret Sargent. Margaret is glittering and changeable. She is powerless to say no to any man, but is never owned or controlled by them. She drifts from one love affair and one job to another but is always willing to take a stand for a cause she believes in. 

Its difficult to write a single review for this book because in many ways, each nearly standalone chapter could have its own review. The first chapter features Margaret intentionally goading her husband into leaving her. "She was both doer and sufferer: she inflicted pain and participated in it. And she was, at the same time physician, for, as she was the weapon that dealt the wound, she was also the balm that could assuage it. [...] She was demanding his total understanding of her, his compassion, and his forgiveness" (11-12). Only in revealing her infidelity does she feel like her husband know her true nature and does their marriage feel genuine. 

Perhaps my favorite chapter was "Rogue's Gallery" that focuses on Mr. Sheer, that operates a farce of an art gallery and whom employs Margaret. This tongue in cheek narrative slowly reveals the true deception of Mr. Sheer's gallery, all from Margaret's perspective. "Mr. Sheer was extremely resourceful in financial matters. It was he who taught me how to get a free lemonade on a stifling day" (26), conveys Margaret. By this she means he takes free water and slices of lemonade from the laundromat. This chapter was amusingly entertaining and reveals much of Margaret's character, as she loyally supports Mr. Sheer's schemes, even when he is unable to pay her. 

McCarthy's writing in this is brilliant and insightful. "She seemed preoccupied, bored, polite. It was like kissing Nancy when she had toast in the toaster" (237). McCarthy has captured the energy and social feel of 1930s New York and also the restless, indecisive nature of her main character. I appreciated the episodic quality of this book and how at times Margaret recedes into the background and becomes a supporting character. 

Stars: 4

Related Title: 

• The Group by Marcy McCarthy