Catalysts

by Stanley Middleton

John Taylor, an accountant, has been deserted by his wife, Stella, after three years of marriage. He struggles to make sense of his life. At a concert he meets his old music master, Michael Alexander, whose son Sebastian, an international cello virtuoso, is the evening's soloist. Stella soon returns to her husband's house, asking if he will take her back. Taylor, who is having an affair with his secretary, is much perplexed. The Taylors and the Alexanders, Michael, Sebastian and his opera-singer wife, meet, talk, and are gradually altered by the meetings. Slowly the estrangled Taylors come together, and the two families change to reach a compromise which is seen as love.

266 pages, Hardcover

First published June 27, 1994

About the author

Stanley Middleton wrote 45 novels, including 1974's Booker Prize-winner Holiday. A Cautious Approach was his last novel.