Summary

In Chapter 31, Rebecca completes her poem entitled “Diana.” Soon after submitting the piece to Alice, Knopf publishes “Diana” to great acclaim. “Diana” appears on the shortlist for the National Book Award, and though Rebecca does not win it, she feels proud of the success she has achieved as a poet. Hopkins, the university at which Rebecca works, offers her sabbatical to honor her poetic accomplishment. Rebecca’s colleague Karen expresses her jealousy towards Rebecca’s success and reveals that she will miss sharing an office with Rebecca when she departs for sabbatical. Rebecca remains doubtful that the university will allow her sabbatical and expects that they will forget “Diana” within a few months. Karen again encourages Rebecca to pursue a relationship with Bilal, but Rebecca convinces herself that she is too busy for a relationship. On her way home from the university, Rebecca buys...