[Is Another Part of the Wood] a worthy addition to the list [of Bainbridge's novels]? One's feelings are mixed. It contains many of the ingredients we have come to expect from Beryl Bainbridge: the depiction of unsatisfactory relationships, discomforts presented humorously, entertaining friction between the characters. The author displays her usual sharpness and perspicacity, at times we're reminded of her exceptional ability to make the squalid and commonplace funny—but somehow the narrative lacks the distinction of the later books. It is partly that the faculty of selection, used to ensure that nothing goes down but the most accurate, most expressive word or phrase, is not yet working to its greatest capacity.

There is a terribly likely victim in this novel, the child Roland; and it soon becomes clear that he is going to suffer for the shortcomings and misjudgment of others…. The behaviour of these people who...