Book Review: Two Serious Ladies is quirky and odd, it's own creature, about two not-so-serious ladies. Jane Bowles' only novel. Mrs. Copperfield goes off to Panama to live in the red-light district. Miss Goering gives up her New York mansion for a cottage and a chaste menage a quatre. They only meet at the beginning and end of the novel, but their themes intertwine. The two ladies are quite attractive, nervous, strangely blunt, skittish, prickly and difficult, but seeking more from life and somehow find the strength to overcome their insecurities. They have their "own star to follow." Bowles finds her character just a bit humorous, not laughing at them, perhaps, but at least laughing near them. The characters themselves are determined and reckless once they break through their initial fears. Bowles, however, is coy and likes to tease. Two Serious Ladies hints at sexual adventures and daring escapades, but little actually happens as far as the reader can tell. Although dwelling among prostitutes, it's unclear whether Mrs. Copperfield ever has a real relationship with anyone. Miss Goering meets some men, but they are uninteresting, unintelligent, not charming or attractive. In fact, these are the kind of men who send up a score of red flags as more likely to kill their partners than woo them, having serious control and anger issues. Bowles writes with wit and intelligence, though she seems to find her characters a bit ridiculous. There's a lot of quirky to be quirky in Two Serious Ladies. Although they seem to be seeking affairs of the heart, a grand romance, I think what the two ladies really want is, quite simply, friendship. Everyone seems to read the book differently, and this may've been sensational back in the day. Well written and enjoyable, but not quite for me. [3½★]
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