This novel by James Salter is not what I expected. It was reviewed as another great work by Salter, who hasn’t written a book in a number of years. It is the story of Philip Bowman from his Navy days until he is beginning to lose a step. His profession is editing for a good publishing house and he has had numerous loves, travels and observations. He jumps from one thing to another but doesn’t jump – it all just flows as he connects families, friends, and enemies, as he moves around the New York area. He seems to be settling in or down but something always interrupts and switches him to another track. His many love indulgences (if that’s the right word) seem to have a strong influence on how he views life. Always thinking “this is the best, she is the most beautiful, the most interesting,” and then it ends. A most interesting book for the way it is written.
