Nemerov's first novel, 'The Melodramatists' is a parody of life in 20th Century America. When wealthy Nicholas Boyne is committed to a mental health facility, his two daughters, Claire and Susan, are left to their own devices. Susan embarks on an ill-fated affair with her psychiatrist, while Claire undergoes a spiritual awakening and sets about a plan to convert the family home into a retreat for the rehabilitation of prostitutes. Brutally funny and packed with wry observations, this is an ideal read for anyone curious about the works of this celebrated writer.-