At the time when sex is „de rigueur” and illegitimacy taboo, Rosamund Stacey finds herself pregnant after her only sexual encounter. Despite her fierce independence and academic brilliance, Rosamund is naive and unworldly and the choices before her are terrifying. But in the perfection and helplessness of her baby she finds an unconditional love she has never known before.
In this witty, compelling and often touching narrative Margaret Drabble asserts that motherhood and independence are not mutually exclusive: for in this untimely combination Rosamund finds true joy and fulfilment.