In Other Women (1984) Caroline Kelley, a confused, often tormented lesbian nurse, is a "bleeding heart" liberal who suffers for every injustice she sees, every instance of someone causing pain. She even turns against her pet cat when she sees it chase a bird. Ambivalent, she constantly wants to embrace life and the world, but forever draws back, angered at some new outrage. She is also confused about her sexual identity and is still vacillating between men and women.

Through her therapy, she finally begins to relax, to enjoy herself, to laugh, and to accept her sexuality.

The therapist, Hannah Burke, is a compelling, haunting, powerful character. A woman who has been through scathing horrors, including the terrible deaths of her children, she retains her equilibrium and seems a rock of compassion, energy, and strength to Caro line. Her wisdom is so phenomenal, and her character is...