The short story « Under the Radar » deals with the conflict arising between a husband, Steven and his wife, Marjorie. It deals specifically with the consequences of Marjorie announcing out of the blue to Steven as they drive to George Nicholson’s house that she has had an affair with their host. As is often the case in A Multitude of Sins , the crux of the matter is left unresolved and buried in a deep silence, individuals often seem driven by motives that remain imperceptible and out of grasp, while their attempts at creating a satisfying level of understanding with the other sex often fail miserably. This passage can be seen as the core of the couple’s crisis, the defining moment in the short story from which all the rest ensues. The scene seems to last an indefinite amount of time, delving into Steven’s inner turmoil and providing a glimpse into Marjorie’s viewpoint as well. It is composed of five paragraphs. In the first one, there us a subtle shift from a third person ...
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Hervé Botheron