On the "shine" and "sheba" query, here is the relevant footnote:
Quote:
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“Primary streets identified with the heart of 1920s Harlem for their subway stops, theatres, cabarets, restaurants, strolling, and parades; “shine” is slang for a black man, derived from the negative notion of shiny black skin; and “sheba” is slang for a black woman, derived from the Biblical Queen of Sheba (I Kings: 10), an Arabian ruler who brought gold, spices, and precious stones to King Solomon."
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So you interpreted it correctly, latepaul. I found the footnotes very useful, especially because of not being an American, but I am sure that many references would be a bit obscure for present-day Americans too.
On Irene, there was an interesting reference in the book to her wanting Brian to be happy, but in her way. It seemed she thought she knew best about every aspect of their lives, which must have put pressure on the relationship.
I think there are ambiguities all the way through, quite deliberately. Was Brian having an affair with Clare? Irene suspected it, but there was no proof. Did Irene push Clare because she feared that suspected relationship with her husband? And then there is the undercurrent of sexual ambiguity too, an attraction and tension between the two women.