In her focus on ordinary people caught in extraordinary situations — and coming out ahead — Susan Isaacs's novels present a generally optimistic view of life. She is also a sharp observer of contemporary mores and typical problems of an era. For this reason the books hold up a provocative mirror to each of the decades that they're set in, as well as to concerns in some readers' lives.

1. In Compromising Positions, Judith Singer's new ventures provoke uneasiness and complaints on her husband's part. At book's end, the future of their marriage is still in doubt. What do you anticipate will happen between them afterwards? If we could look at Judith ten or twenty years later, what would she be doing with her life?

2. Susan Isaacs's success with her novels has not been repeated in her movie-related projects. Is she just the victim of bad luck...