21 MARCH 1992, page 35

A Shocking Love Story

Anita Brookner THE REPUBLIC OF LOVE by Carol Shields Fourth Estate, £14.99, pp. 366 • ■• C arol Shields's voice, pitched some- where between those of Alice Munro and Anne Tyler,......

The Elected Of The Lord

Dean Godson UNDER GOD: RELIGION IN AMERICAN POLITICS by Garry Wills Simon & Schuster, £9.99, pp.445 F ancying that I knew something about American politics, I once went for a......

Going On

Scotch and water, warm, Medicinal, two tablets On a little tray, his Times Tucked underarm, a dignified But frail ascent, prolonged Undressing measured out By heavy footsteps,......