McCarthy's most celebrated novel portrays the experiences of eight young women from Vassar College, Class of '33. As the story opens, they meet in New York City for the wedding of Kay, one of "the group." The author then describes the lives, loves, and aspirations of these women until they reconvene seven years later in the same city for Kay's funeral. "Juicy, shocking, witty, and almost continually brilliant" (Cosmopolitan).

THE GROUP follows eight graduates from exclusive Vassar College as they find love and heartbreak, forge careers, gossip and party in 1930s Manhattan. THE GROUP can be seen as the original SEX AND THE CITY. It is the first novel to frankly portray women's real lives, exploring subjects such as sex, contraception, motherhood and marriage.

Henry Mulcahy, a literature instructor at progressive Jocelyn College, is informed that his appointment will not be continued. Convinced he is disliked by the president of Jocelyn because of his abilities as a teacher and his independence of mass opinion, Mulcahy believes he is being made the victim of a witch-hunt. Plotting vengeance, Mulcahy battles to fight for justice and, in the process, reveals his true ethical nature.

Mary McCarthy vividly recalls her early years in New York before she began writing novels and stories. At that time, she wrote reviews for the "Nation "and the "New Republic," was active in the American Communist Party, and was married to activist actor/playwright Harold Johnsrud. "Foreword by Elizabeth Hardwick."

This unique autobiography begins with McCarthy’s recollections of an indulgent, idyllic childhood tragically altered by the death of her parents in the influenza epidemic of 1918.