This intoxicating novel stands on its own, while forming a triumphantconclusion to A. S. Byatt's great quartet depicting the clashing forces inEnglish life from the early 1950s to 1970. While Frederica falls almost byaccident into a career in television in London, tumultuous events in herhome county of Yorkshire threaten to change her life, and those of thepeople she loves. Through her wayward, lovingly-drawn characters andbreath-taking twists of plot, Byatt illuminates the effervescence of the1960s - both its excitements and its dangers - as no one has done before.Magical and thought-provoking, and with spine-chilling moments, AWhistling Woman is the ultimate novel of ideas made flesh - gloriouslysensual, sexy and scary, bursting with ideas, and wonderful humanity.