FICTION : BAD MANNERS by Maggie Paley (Clarkson N. Potter: $14.95).

This caustically witty first novel by Maggie Paley, a former editor of Life and other distinguished publications, depicts four narcissistic women who swap lovers and confidences with total nonchalance. These New Yorkers love to chat, and the novel consists solely of their saucy, uninhibited telephone conversations with each other.

Readers first meet Violet, a publicist with as little confidence as “a half grapefruit with all its membranes cut.” She toys with her scientist boyfriend and Roger, a licentious movie star who gives her banana-flavored underpants. Helena also lusts after Roger, partly because her husband usually associates with firefighters instead of her. Radio personality Alexandra uncertainly exchanges her beau, Giorgio, for Henry Sweet, a spiritual mentor who extols “universal love.” Before Alexandra can reconsider, Giorgio hastily is claimed by Kitty, a vixen irked by her incontinent whippet, Giorgio’s boring descriptions of his relatives, and male “clods.”

Many more romantic frolics and setbacks occur, all of which are breathlessly discussed. Paley cuttingly reveals the superficiality of these women and their relationships, although their repartee becomes tiresome. In addition, the author’s reliance on phone conversations to portray this quartet prevents them from developing into absorbing, three-dimensional characters.