Second Children, Second Novels, Second Love Summary

Garp and Helen have another child, a boy named Walt. Soon after, Helen takes her second position as an associate English professor at another university. During her employment there, Helen encounters Harrison Fletcher who becomes Helen's very good friend. Harrison's wife, Alice, is also a writer and becomes blocked when she learns that Harrison is having an extramarital affair with a student.

Helen encourages Garp to befriend Alice since they are kindred spirits and Garp finds himself strangely attracted to Alice, who speaks with a very definite lisp, not unlike the Ellen Jamesians. Helen suggests an unconventional plan to save the Fletchers' marriage where Helen will sleep with Harrison and Garp will sleep with Alice. Not surprisingly, the plan backfires after six months and the Fletchers move away because Harrison commits yet another...