Evangeline

Relationships between older men and younger women are not usual perhaps or even common, but they are certainly not rare. Nor are they as subject to criticism when they do occur as is a relationship that develops between a young man and an older woman...especially a significantly older woman. Although fictionalized, "Evangeline" is based on a true story, the story of an older woman who meets a younger man, too young in fact to be consorting with any woman, let alone a woman old enough to be his mother. If a love was ever tested, it would be the love that grew between Evangeline Vandyke and Jeremiah Justin. Attraction sprang unsought between them and grew into a love that was purified by adversity - circumstantial, physical and emotional - in its infancy. When irresistible attraction comes in the door, circumspect behavior often goes out the window. This can leave disaster in its wake or it can be the beginning of a love that lasts...forever.

Ralph Larsen was born in Brooklyn, grew up in Western Long Island and lived in Manhattan most of his life. He studied creative writing at The New School and Hunter College. His instructors included the novelist Philip Freund who said he was "as good as any of the tough guy writers" of the thirties. Anatole Broyard, former book reviewer of the New York Times, told him to stop taking writing courses and start writing and suggested Miss Marguerite Young as the only instructor who could possibly be of further assistance. In a subsequent course with her, Mr. Larsen's early efforts received high praise. She said he was "already as good as Hemingway." Mr. Larsen lives in Downeast Maine and writes in a number of genres. This is his third novel.