SUBTLE BODIES by Norman Rush, substellular story

Norman Rush's novel SUBTLE BODIES begins with the death of Douglas, one of tight knit college  buds from 20 years ago in NYC.  Douglas was deemed the epicenter of this devoted group of erudite, self-important young guns who were one for all & all for one.  Then how is it they all fell out of touch but drop everything to fly out for the funeral of their "close" friend who drove his mower over the edge of a canyon.  (How's that for smarts?)  Ned is the central character & is married to Nina (who is desperately trying to get pregnant.)  So why the Hell did Ned fly across the country when he knows this is the ULTIMATE time to conceive without even consulting her.  Nina hops on the next plane to fly out & meets the widow & the surviving members of the old brotherhood. Is this even credible or intriguing?  I'm not buying "friendships between men are superior because…men don't want anything back from their true friends." Still, Rush writes with skillfulness and clever insights.  "Don't forget that every war is men trying to kill each other who have nothing against each other." He's won the Nat'l Book Award for MATING & received a Pulitize Nom. for WHITES.  I suggest these others, but this one; don't bother.