The ultimate ''what if'' novel

from the million-copy-bestselling author of FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON: ''A masterpiece of poignant brilliance ... heartbreaking'' Guardian

Karen and Barney Stark should never have married. Childless, uncomfortable and incompatible, their marriage has not been a success, and the lack of a child only makes the tension between them worse. And living their lives to the beat of a fertility clock only adds to the increasingly volatile atmosphere.

When an incident at Barney''s workplace causes them both to be unknowingly contaminated with radioactive dust, they also become pariahs - in their neighbourhood and with their families. But things are only going to get worse. Karen discovers she is pregnant and as their closest friends become frightened enemies, the dream of becoming parents turns into a nightmare...