The author interweaves the story of widower Nestor Tudor's unrequited love for Mary Alice Celestine Lefler with parallel stories of a wide variety of other equally peculiar courtships

Reviews

As in his previous works ( A Short History of A Small Place , etc.) Pearson's latest Southern comic novel finds its form in digression: there is a story, albeit a slender one, but the book's real substance lies in its anecdotes, detours and wrong turns. Among the characters whose lives illustrate the perils of falling--and staying--in love, are middle-aged Nestor Tudor, who conceives a hopeless passion for Mary Alice Celestine Lefler; Mr. Phillip J. King, who endures with stoic patience the distemper of his wife, trapped in a seemingly permanent state of cantankerous menopause; and dozens of peripheral characters who pursue personal obsessions and humdrum tasks, all with an edge of whimsy and a redemptive hope of romance.. Many episodes, notably the opening chapter about a visit to an itinerant strip show, are constructed with narrative vigor. But Pearson's writing, in sentences that run out of breath but keep going, accumulating details as they hurtle on, is arch and strenuous, and his deliberately tangled syntax may try the reader's patience.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

When Miss Mary Alice Celestine Lefler steps off the Greyhound from Berkeley Springs at the shankend of August and debuts more than your average share of comely features and enticements at the elevated buffet in the Number 2 shelter up by the reservoir, where Mrs. Phillip J. King is serving poached kidneys bearnaise in celebration of getting her consciousness raised by Dr. Dewey Lunt, Miss Mary Alice Celestine Lefler just purely captivates the imagination of Mr. Dick Atwater and most especially of Nestor Tudor whose daddy Nestor Tudor got knocked out by the stripper's walnut back in Chapter 1. Pearson's tortuous digressions and convoluted prose were hilarious in A Short History of a Small Place. In his fourth Neely novel, they have become wearisome. Buy only for devoted Pearson fans.
- Maurice Taylor, Brunswick Cty. Lib., Southport, N.C.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

We specialize in fine first editions of 20th and 21st century fiction, as well as selected nonfiction works. Nearly all of our books are first printings, and the few that are not are clearly designated as later printings. We welcome visitors by appointment.

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

Reed's Rare Books
CA, U.S.A.

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

All first editions are first printings unless otherwise specified. All books are subject to prior sale, and we hold books for 10 days only.We
accept payment in checks or money orders in U.S. dollars. Priority postage for domestic
shipping is $7.50 for first book, $4.00 for each additional book; overseas
shipments are billed at approximate cost.California residents must add 8.50%
sales tax. We offer free media mail shipping under certain circumstances; please inquire before ordering. Books may be...

More Information

Shipping Terms

Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.
Order quantity	5 to 14 business days	3 to 6 business days
First item	US$ 5.00	US$ 10.00

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.