Mavis dooley, mother of twenty year-old nevil (or 'the nev' as he's affectionately known), is appalled and confused when her only son awakes and informs her that he's white and a woman. Not just any women but the late tw...Mavis dooley, mother of twenty year-old nevil (or 'the nev' as he's affectionately known), is appalled and confused when her only son awakes and informs her that he's white and a woman. Not just any women but the late twentieth century novelist jean rhys!