In the Field : "The novel, sensual, stirring, suspenseful.a story splendidly imagined, but with all the dimension and complexity that comes from the author's original fascination and respect for the real-life character."-- Los Angeles Review of Books "Rachel Pastan has written a compelling and compulsively readable tale about a complex woman's path to success in biological science, showing us, through subtle social conflicts and in lucid evocative prose, the difficulties of entering any field as an unconventional, impassioned participant."-- Harold Varmus , Lewis Thomas University Professor, Weill Cornell Medicine; Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine Alena : "Creepy and entrancing." -- John Irving , author Queen Esther "Alena is so eerie and elegantly suspenseful that I could see myself rereading it.every few years." --Maureen Corrigan, Fresh Air "A brilliant takedown of the self-serious art world. -- The New York Times Book Review Lady of the Snakes : "A marvelous, fearless book.

" -- Ann Packer , author of S ome Bright Nowhere "The perfect summer book." -- Maureen Corrigan, Fresh Air This Side of Married: "A wedding bouquet of great wit and affection." -- Meg Wolitzer , author of The Interestings.