That "Only Children" is really a novel of the 1970's set in the Depression years is clear from its concentration on issues that have become much-discussed lately: the role of women in and out of marriage; the nature of "love"; distorted male perceptions of women … [and] equally distorted and cynical female perceptions of men. (p. 7)

Though set on a farm, "Only Children" is really a sort of drawing-room comedy. It is formally plotted: It begins and ends with the Hubbards in their old Franklin car, struggling in traffic; each chapter is laid out in a scrupulous workmanlike way, usually involving two characters who, chatting at first about incidental matters, become quite frank with each other (though their revelations—and no doubt this is part of Alison Lurie's satiric vision—bring them to no lasting changes in their lives)….

At the novel's conclusion no one appears to be much...