T he Prize tells four stories involving seven protagonists. The dynamic in each story is a different human failing or fault. John Garrett, a medical researcher, is bitterly resentful of his co-recipient Carlos Farelli. Denise Marceau, a biologist, avenges herself against her husband and co-winner Claude who has taken a mistress. Andrew Craig, the novelist, is mired in alcohol-drenched guilt over his wife's accidental death. Having built rockets for the Nazis, Max Stratman, an engineer, assuages his conscience by experimenting with solar energy and raising his orphaned niece Emily.

All seven protagonists are developed with complete histories: parents, lovers, childhood, career. Wallace also sketches numerous minor characters with just enough detail to fill the stereotype: expose-hungry journalist, ruthless Communist agent, sensuous Swedish actress.

Although Wallace strives to develop the major characters equally, his heart is obviously with two: Denise Marceau and Andrew Craig. He takes the reader deeper...