10 JANUARY 1987, page 26

An Uncomfortable Voice

Anita Brookner MARYA: A LIFE by Joyce Carol Oates Cape, £10.95 I n her new novel Joyce Carol Oates has dealt herself a superficially attractive prop- osition: to tell the story......

William Sees Double

Martin Spence JUST-RICHMAL by Kay Williams Genesis Publications, £12.95 RICHMAL CROMPTON: THE WOMAN BEHIND WILLIAM by Mary Cadogan Allen & Unwin, £12.95 F unny', said William to......

On Scanning Page Three

(After the manner of Maurits Escher) Ti-turn ti-ti-turn ti-ti-turn, Ti-turn ti-ti-turn ti-ti-turn; Ti-ti-turn ti-ti-turn Ti - ti - turn ti-ti-turn,......