[close] A dazzling first novel that chronicles the lives of the residents within the brick and limestone walls of one very exclusive address 980 Park, a fictional pre-war co-op, houses the rich and famous- Sidney Sapphire, morning show anchorwoman; Angela Somoza, Nicaraguan jet-setter; Bob Horowitz, chairman of the United Jewish Appeals; and the usual collection of CEO's, Wall Street magnates, and white-haired philanthropists. The building's board sips gin in the afternoons and devises ways to keep out anyone 'inappropriate.' Stifled resentments come to a head when two Jewish families in the building suspect the co-op board of more discrimination than might be legal. Better Homes and Husbands is about class and caste feuds, played out with ferocity and etiquette in a posh upper east side apart-ment during the tumultuous period of social change between 1970 and 2000. [close]