You are on page 1of 15

Title/Author/ISBN

Home MyBooks Friends Recommendations Explore

register

tour

signin

Goodreadshelpsyoukeeptrackofbooksyouwanttoread.
StartbymarkingASportandaPastimeasWanttoRead:
WanttoRead

Recommendit|Stats|Recentstatusupdates

ReadersAlsoEnjoyed

Genres

Othereditions
Enlargecover

WanttoRead

Fiction

162users

Novels

29users

Cultural>France

20users

AdultFiction>Erotica

19users

Literature

17users

Classics

15users

LiteraryFiction

13users

Literature>American

7users

Contemporary

6users

Ratethisbook

BookClub

5users

Seetopshelves...

ASportandaPastime
byJamesSalter,ReynoldsPrice(Introduction)

3.74

AboutJamesSalter

ratingdetails3,826ratings516reviews

"AsnearlyperfectasanyAmericanfictionIknow,"ishowReynoldsPrice(TheNewYorkTimes)
describedthisclassicthathasbeenafavoriteofreaders,bothhereandinEurope,foralmostforty
years.SetinprovincialFranceinthe1960s,itistheintenselycarnalstorypartshockingreality,part
feverishdreamofaloveaffairbetweenafootlooseYaledropoutand...more
Paperback,185pages
PublishedAugust22nd2006byFarrar,StrausandGiroux(firstpublished1967)
moredetails...
Getacopy:

editdetails
KindleeBook

onlinestores

Libraries

JamesSalter(b.1925)isanovelist,short
storywriter,andscreenwriter.Salter
grewupinNewYorkCityandwasa
careerofficerandAirForcepilotuntilhis
midthirties,whenthesuccessofhisfirstnovel
(TheHunters,1957)ledtoafulltimewriting
career.Salterspotent,lyricalprosehasearned
himacclaimfromcritics,readers,andfellow
novelists.HisnovelASportandaPastime(1
...more

FriendReviews

MoreaboutJamesSalter...

Toseewhatyourfriendsthoughtofthisbook,pleasesignup.

BooksbyJamesSalter

ReaderQ&A
ToaskotherreadersquestionsaboutASportandaPastime,pleasesignup.

BethefirsttoaskaquestionaboutASportandaPastime

ListswithThisBook

More

ShareThisBook

Like

15

Tweet
3
24

TheBestUseofStylisticLanguage(best

"Love"onTheGuardian's"1000Novels

form/language)
60thoutof320books300voters

EveryoneMustRead"List
71stoutof144books89voters

+Shareonyourwebsite

TriviaAboutASportAndAPas...

Morelistswiththisbook...

2triviaquestions
Morequizzes&trivia...

CommunityReviews

QuotesfromASportAndAPastime
filter|sort:default(?) |ratingdetails
Libbyratedit

(showing130of3,000)

Dec03,2013

Firstofall,thisstarsystemaggrievesme.WhenIhovermycursoroverthestarsIlearn
that3starsindicates"Ilikedit"and4starsindicates"Ireallylikedit"etc."Liking"has
nothingtodowithmysenseofthisnovel,andinfact,isn'tevengermaneinthisinstance.
Ididn'tlikethisnovel.Istillthinkit'sratheramazing.
Thisnovelfeelsdatedinitssubjectmatter,andisbesetwithpassagesofcasualracism
andsexualimperialismthatarerepugnanttome.Thestoryopensin1962(or'64?)and
concernsitselfwiththesexualexploitsofyoungPhillipDean,thearchetypicalWASP
goldenboy,whoisaYaledropoutdriftingthroughEurope,andAnneMarie,aprovincial
Frenchteenager,whosesexuality(grayteethandall)actsasasortoflodestarforDean's
peregrinations.Icouldn'tcarelessthanIdoaboutthisstory,whichsomanyreaders(as
evidencedbyGoodreadsreviews)seemtothinkisthemeatofthematter.
BUT...
Thisstoryisbookendedbyandfilteredthroughthefirstpersonnarrationofour
unnamednarrator,a34yearoldAmericanman,whomeetsDeanatapartyinParisand
thenhostsDeanattheborrowedcountryhomeinwhichhelives(itisinthistown,
Autun,thatDeanmeetsAnneMarie).Thenoveloperates,inasense,asareverseThe
GreatGatsby:hereoureffacednarratorisnotayoungman(Nick)whowitnessesthe
tragedyofheroismasembodiedbytheolder,morestoriedman(Gatsby),butinstead,is
anolderman,mourningtime'sinexorableerasureofyouththroughthecreativeactof
witnessing(fantasizing/creating)theheroicyoungerman(Dean).
Thenovelisanovelofobsession,whichatfirstseemstofixateonDeanandAnneMarie's
sex.Butthenovel'struefixationisthepowerandpotentiality(onemightsaypotency)of
youth.Ournarratorisimpotent,andrecreatesthepossibilityofvirility/vitalitythrough
hisfantasyofDean.It'squitesadandmoving,actually.Thewholebookiscastinasortof
halflight,asthoughtheeventsitrecountsarewaningevenbeforetheybegin,orasif,as
allthingsmust,theycontaintheseedsoftheirowndissolutioneveninthemomentof
theirbrightestshining.Ournarrator'sfixationonDeanandAnneMarieisafixingof
time,andafixingofthetimelessnessofthesexualmoment.
Thenovel'send,itsshiftfromthepromiseofauthenticity(see"TheRealFrance")toits
descriptivepassagesofthetowngonearid,mark,atlast,theimpossibilityofthe
narrator'sproject.Devastating.
Saltermakessomanyotherstrange,admirablemovesinthesepagesthatitwouldbe
difficulttoenumeratethemall(hisrejectionofconstant,lineartimehisuseof
descriptionastoolofnarrativeauthorityhiscompleterejectionofthereader'sdesireto
knowmoreaboutournarrator).Iwouldneverreadthisnovelagain,butIcomeaway
fromitfeelingasthoughIneedtoreconsiderIamreconsideringeverythinganovel
cando.(less)
58likesLikeseereview
markmondayratedit
Shelves:thesefragilelives,romantika,sexathon,unstablenarratives

Apr24,2015

Hehasn'tthestrengthtodream,orrather,hisdreamstakeplacewhilehe
isawakeandtheyaremarvelousforatleastonequality:hehasthepower
toprolongthem.
hehasadreamofFrance.wintryandgrey,rainandemptystreets.hehasadreamofa

Oneshouldnotbelievetoostronglyinalife
whichcaneasilyvanish.17likes
AsIlookback,Iseethatlifeislikeagameof
solitaireandeveryonceinawhilethereisa
move.16likes
Morequotes

youngerversionofhimself,handsomeandaloof,virile.atabularasaofsorts.hecan
projecthimselfontothatblankslate,intoastorythathehasmade,andhedoesbutitis
nothis,notreally.itishisdreamversionofthatstory,thatyoungman,thattimein
France.hehasadreamofaromance,fatedtoendassoonasithasbegun.hedreams
himselfintothatromance.andhemakesthatromancebothtragicandcommonplace.
itislikealuciddream,onehecanshapeandmaybeevencontrol.itisnotwispyandfull
ofambiguityitisallsharpdetailsandpreciselypaintedpictures,charactersfinely
etched,manysmallandintimatethings.anodddream,onefullofdeclarativesentences,
thebanalityandthebeautyofthingsdescribedjustso.anoddlydreamlikebook,itleft
thisreadercoldbutthoughtful,turnedoffandturnedon,fascinatedandrepelled.a
meditationonmemory:onhowwereconstructthepast.
heisnotofFrancebuthecouldbemistakenforsuch.hewishestobemistakenforsuch.
hischaracter"Dean",longingtobeseenasaFrenchman,andtheproseitself,an
AmericanrelativeofDuras.thatsensuallackofsensuality,thatfocusonthedetails
ratherthantheemotions.trsDuras.HenryMiller'sprickMargueriteDuras'icy
detachment.
hehasadreamofacertainkindofdeath.amorsexmachina.
hisdreamisadreamofsexaswell.graphicsex,explicitdetails.amaleperspective,a
specificallymaleeye.thispartintothatpart,openingsandtighteningsandfluidspent.
eroticaorpornography?apornographicfocusonthemechanicsaneroticfocusonthe
feelings.butonlyhisfeelings.it'shisdreamafterall.
Theorchestrasoftheworldbeatsoftly.Themuscleinherbehindistight.
(less)
39likesLikeseereview
Algernonratedit
Shelves:2014,favorites

Mar22,2014

SomebooksIhearaboutthroughtheloudspeakersofpopularopinion(HarryPotter,
Twilight,TheBookThief).Othersareclassicseverybodyhasheardabout(AFarewellto
Arms,LesMiserables).GenrebooksIdiscoverindedicatedforumsandrecentlymy
wishlistisgrowingexponentiallythroughGoodreadsrecommendations.ButIalways
holdaspecialplaceonmyshelvesforthebooksIdiscoveraccidentally,likeimpulsebuys
insecondhandbookstoresthatturnouttobepersonalfavorites.ASportanda
PastimecametomethroughtheintercessionofJohnIrving,whomakesthisslim1967
volumeanimportantpartoftheplotofhissprawlingASonoftheCircusnovel.In
there,theJamesSalterintenselyeroticalaccountoftheromancebetweenDeanand
AnneMarie,aYaledropoutandaFrenchwaitress,servestorekindlethepassionofa
tiredmiddleagedcouple.
Giventheexplicitsexualcontent,thenovelmightnotbeforanyone,butIbelieveSalter
treatedthesubjectofphysicallovewithanartistbrush,stylishlyandemotionallyrather
thanmechanically.(Nosoundfromthecountryside.Birds.Thehumofaspring.Onthe
widebedtheyaresoonatwork,skillfully,silentasthieves.Theyaredeepina
sumptuousdreaminwhichtheyhavediscoveredoneanother.)ThebestreferencesI
couldmaketogiveyouanideaoftheparticularvibeofthenovelcomesfromcinemaby
wayofthe'lanouvellevague'Frenchschool(AlainResnais,andJeanLucGodard)andin
particularBernardoBertolucciwhoalsosetouttoshakethefoundationsofastuckup,
repressedsociety.'TheLastTangoinParis'and'TheDreamers'especiallysharewith
JamesSalternotonlytheFrenchsettingandtheexpatriateprotagonist,butalsothe
dreamyatmosphere,theenchantedcirclethatisolatestheloversfromtheconcernsof
theregularworld.
Somethings,asIsay,Isaw,somediscovered,andsomedreamed,andIcannolonger
differentiatebetweenthem.ButmydreamsareasimportantasanythingIacquired
bystealth.Moreimportant,becausetheyaretheintuitiveinitspureststate.Without
them,factsarenomorethanakindofdebris,unstrung,likebeads.Thedreamsareas
trueandmanifestastheironfencesofFranceflashingbackintherain.Moretrue
perhaps.Theyaretheskeletonofallreality.
Theunnamednarratorofthestoryformsthethirdpointofthetrianglewiththelovers,
DeanandAnneMarie.Heisthewriterwhoanalyzesthesituation,inventsitandorders
thesequenceofeventsbywhimordesign.Butheisalsothevoyeurwhorepeatedly

confesseshisownmysteriousincapacityforphysicallove,anemotionalhandicapthathe
remediesbyimaginingthebedsportsbetweenthetwoyoungpeople.Thetitleofthe
bookcouldbesimplisticallyinterpretedtorefertotheactoflove,buttheinside
dedicationwiththequotefromtheKorangivesamoreaccurateanddeepermeaning.
Noneofthisistrue.I'vesaidAutun,butitcouldeasilyhavebeenAuxerre.I'monly
puttingdowndetailswhichenteredme,fragmentsthatwereabletopartmyflesh.[...]
There'senoughpassionintheworldalready.Everythingtrembleswithit.NotthatI
believeitshouldn'texist,no,no,butthisisonlyathin,reflectingsliverwhichsomehow
keepscatchingthelight.
AutunisanametoconjurewithinthecaseofJamesSalter.Iwouldhavelovedthebook
topiecesevenintheabsenceofthetempestuouslovestory,simplyforthewaythe
authorpaintsinvibrantcoloursthebeautyoftheFrenchcountryside,thecharmsof
smalltownspverthechangingseasons,themajestyoftheLoirevalleycastlesorthe
liberatingexpansesoftheseasideresorts.Salterisnotthefirst,northelastAmerican
artisttofallinlovewithFranceanditsculture,butheisoneofthemostconvincingand
authentictroubadoursoftheoutofthewayplaces,stillauthenticandunspoiledyetby
thetourismindustry,atleastinthe1960's.
Autun,stillasachurchyard.Tileroofs,darkwithmoss.Theamphitheatre.Thegreat,
centralsquare:theChampdeMars.Now,inblueofautumnthattouchesthebone.The
summerhasended.Thegardenwithers.Themorningsbecomechill.Iamthirty,Iam
thirtyfourtheyearsturndryasleaves.
Thetransitionsbetweenthenarratorandtheloversperspectivesareintentionally
blurred,emotionsaremoreimportantthanfacts,dreamsareconfusedwithmemories
andplaces(villages,towns,anendlessseriesofanonimoushotelrooms)become
interchangeable,theonlyconstantbeingthepassionbetweenDeanandAnneMarie.
Solet'slookmorecloselyatthem.WhenIthinkofDean,IpictureayoungRobert
Redford,asungod,andofthephraseusedtodescribehiminTheWayWeWere:'In
away,hewaslikethecountryhewasbornin.Everythingcametooeasytohim.'Deanis
carelessofhisgifts(youth,beauty,intelligence,aprivilegedsocialposition)and
abandonshisstudiesatYale,driftingtoFrancewithoutmoneyandwithoutanyplansfor
thefuture.HecomestoAutunonavisittothenarrator,andherehemeetsayoung
waitress,unsophisticated,unschooledandfromaverymodestfamily.AnneMarie
maintainsher'jenesaisquoi',herfeminineimpenetrablemysterythatisactuallyamore
profoundanddependBlecapacityforlove.Deancasuallyseducesher,sheplacidly
acceptshisattentions(noneofthemisavirgin)andtheystarttomeeteveryweekendin
differenttowns,incheaphotelrooms.
Thebiggestpartofthenoveldevelopsasadoubleroadtrip:theexplorationoftheFrench
countrysideandtheexplorationofeachother'sbody,experimentinganddaringfurther
andfurtherafieldwitheachnewweekend.Asasymbolofthetransientcharacterofthe
romancethereistheluxuryconvertibledrivenbyDean,aDelahayecoupethatis
revealedinthenovel'sendnotestobethesamecartheauthorglimpsedinaParis
dealershipwindowinhisownyouth,andthecarheactuallyboughtlaterinlife:
AndIthinktheverysymbolofhisexistencewhichcontinuallyappearsandreappears
tome,emergingfrombehindtreesinthedusk,itslightsfloatingout,itsdarkshape
fleeingalongtheroad,thatgreat,spectralcarwhichhauntsthevillages,itstiresworn,
thechromeonitswheelsbeginningtospecklewithrust.Journeysandintimationsof
journeysIseenowthathehasalwayskepthimselfclosetothelifethatflows,is
transient,bornaway.AndIseehiswholeappearancedifferently.Heisjoinedtothe
brevityofthings.Hehasapprehendedatleastonegreatlaw.
IhavespentalotoftimethinkingaboutthisbookthatIexpectmanyreaderswilljudge
trashyandpretentious,andmyfinalratingmakesnoclaimsofobjectivity.Myreactions
andmyreasonstoadditamongfavoriteshavealottodowithpersonalexperiences,both
infallinginlovewithParisandtheFrenchcountrysideoverfrequentholidaysinthe
regionandinmoreintimate/illicitjourneysofdiscoveryinsimilarhotelroomsandfar
awayplaces.Theflamesofpassionareburningwithaquieterflamenow,butthe
memoriescamebackasifitallhappenedyesterday.Thefinallinesofthenovelhitcloser
tohomethanIexpected:IambothDeanandthevoyeuristicnarratorofmyownyouth.
IamleftaloneatmytableIalwaysimaginethiswatchingastheyturnandpass
throughthedomedroom,amongthelightedcases,andatlastaregone.Unknown
lovers.Theydisappearintothetown.

(less)
32likesLikeseereview
Mattratedit

Aug27,2014

WhenIcameacrossEsquires80BooksEveryManShouldRead,therewasnowayin
hellIwasntgoingtoreadit.First,Ilikemostpeopleontheinternetampartialto
listicles.Articlesarenice,butlistsappealtothepartofmybrainerodedbywhatwasI
talkingabout?Second,Ilovebooks.Thatis,afterall,whyIamhere,onthiswebsite.And
thirdIamaman.Beards!Flannel!Emotionalreticence!Thecombinationfeltlikeitd
beenwrittenspecificallyforme.
ThatshowIcameacrossJamesSaltersASportandaPastime.Itwasthecoverthat
initiallycaughtmyeye:awomansstockingedlegsdrapedinacomehitherishmanner
overthearmofacouch.Myattentionhadbeenfixed.
Esquiresaccountofthenovelscontentswasprettyminimal,soIfollowedtheubiquitous
Amazonlink,wherethewordsintenselycarnalwerefeaturedprominentlyinthe
productdescription.ThiswasabooklikeUlysses,LadyChatterleysLover,andTropic
ofCancerthathadatonetimebeenbannedasobscene.
Beinganunreconstructedpervertanaturallycuriousperson,ASportandaPastime
soundedtoogoodtopassup.WhenIpulleditoutofitsmailorderboxproudlyshipped
byAmazon,thoughdecadesearlieritdprobablybeenmailedindefianceofComstockin
aplainbrownboxIcomfortedmyselfwiththeknowledgethatthiswasaminorclassic
(albeitoneIdneverheardof).
Thestorycontainedinthisslim(185pages)volumeissetinprovincialFrancesometime
inthe1960s.ItcentersonaYaledropoutnamedPhilipDean,whoistravelingaroundthe
countrysideinafancy,borrowedcar,andhisFrenchgirlfriendAnneMarie,ayoung
womanwithbadbreathandfewsexualboundaries.
ThemostnotablethingaboutASportandaPastimeishowSalterchoosestotellhistale.
Thenovelisdeliveredinthefirstpersonbyanunnamedstorytellerwhodefinesthe
termunreliablenarrator.(Heis,afterall,neverpresentfortheintimatemomentsof
PhilipandAnneMariesrelationship).Earlyon,hestates:

NoneofthisistrueImsureyoullcometorealizethat.Iamonlyputting
downdetailswhichenteredme,fragmentsthatwereabletopartmyflesh.
Itsastoryofthingsthatneverexistedalthougheventhefaintestdoubtof
that,thesmallestpossibility,plungeseverythingintodarkness.

Forwhateverreason,PhilipandAnneMariesaffairhasgrippedthenarratorina
feverishpassion.ThatisthechiefproblemIhadwiththiswork.Agreatbigdealismade
aboutthisromance,buttherewasneverapointwhereIfeltitdeservedthismuch
attentionorrather,thislevelofobsession.NeitherPhilipnorAnneMarieareever
clearlydrawnascharacters,thoughPhilipisabitmoreroundedthanhislover.Inever
boughtintotheirloveorlust.Asacouple,theydontcreateanysparks:theyexchangeno
profounddialogue,orwittybanter,orevendemonstrateasingleinstanceofwhythey
likeeachother.
Thenarrator,thoughorshouldIcallhimtheNarratorisdeeply,creepilyenamored
oftheircoupling,whichherapturouslyrecountsinoftoverwroughtprose:

Hermouthfeelswarm.Itrytofinddarkness,avoid,buttheyaretoo
luminous,thewhiteskybehindthem,theirbodiesopenandfresh.Theyare
tooinnocent.Theyrelikemyownchildren,andtheyillustrateanaffection
whichhaslittlereasonto,whichinfactdoesnotexistexceptthatsheat
theverybottomitisheronlyrealdistinctionsheknowshowtomake
thingscometrue.Hermouthmovesinlong,sweetreaches.Deancanfeel
himselfbeginningtotumble,tocomeapart,andIamlikeasaxophone
playerinamarchingband,inlovewithamoviequeen

Ididn'thaveanyexpectationscomingintothisreadingexperience.AsImentioned

above,IneverknewASportandaPastimeexisteduntilbroughttomyattentionbya
clickbaitlisticleinEsquire.Thus,Icantreallylabelmyreactionasoneof
disappointment.Thatstoostrongaword.Infact,thethingthatimpressedmemost
aboutASportandaPastimeishowlittleitevokedinme.Thesexscenesarenotgraphic
enoughtoarouseanyprurientinterest,andtheyseemtameincomparisonwithlurid
passagesthatcanbefoundinanynumberofbookspennedbycontemporarywriters.The
charactersarenotmemorable.Theplotismostlyalanguidseriesofsmall,quietscenes,
withthestoryputteringoutratherthandrivingtowardsaclimax(ImsureIcouldve
foundanappropriateinnuendothere,ifIhadmoreenergytotry).
ASportandaPastimeisnotwithoutitssmallpleasures.Ithasthefeel,evokedbythe
settingandtheelegantbluntnessoftheprose,ofsomethingwrittenbyFitzgeraldor
Hemingway.Itcapturesaforgottentime,apostWWIIFrancepeopledbyexpatriates
andsoldiersandtimelessfarmers.

Belovedtown.Iseeitinallweathers,thesunlightfallingintoitsalleyslike
fragmentsofchina,thesilentevenings,theviaductbluewithrain.And
comingbackthisismuchlatertherearelong,clearstretcheswithfields
oneitherside,andweflydownanaisleoftrees,thetrunksallwhitewith
lime.RoadsofFrance.Restaurantsandcemeteries.Blacktreesand
hangingrain.Theneedleisononeforty.Theaxlesarecrackinglikewood.

Sincethisshoweduponalistdevotedtobooksformen,andsinceIamallman,I
wonderedbrieflyatmytepidresponse.Iamfullycognizantthatthismightbeafunction
ofage.HadIreadthisasayoungerman,whenallofthelittlethingsinlifeseemed
fraughtandlifeordeath,whenthebriefestofrelationshipscouldturnmeintoall
mannerofinsane,ImighthavebeenmorereceptivetoSaltersnarrator.Impastthat
stagenow,forbetterorforworse,andIvemovedontothestagewhereImtryingto
rememberwhattheoldstagefeltlike.Thisbookdidntquitebringmebackthere.
(less)
20likesLikeseereview
knigratedit
Shelves:reallybadsex

Nov08,2011

Letsstopbeatingaboutthebushhere.Tobecrystalclear:MenCANNOTwriteabout
sex.(Theyprobablydontevenunderstandit).Whentheydowriteaboutsex,itisonly
othermenwhomightfinditremotelyplausible,letalonesatisfying.Excitingdoesnt
evencomeintoit.ThisisofficiallythelastbookIamreadingonthesubjectwrittenbya
man.
Howbadcanitbe?Hereisalittlesnippet(from200pagesworthofsimilardelectable
delights).Ourhero,onePhillipDean,isgallivantingroundthesouthofFrancewithan
eighteenyearoldFrenchgirl,who,asitsohappens,hasneverhadanytrafficuptheold
chocolatehighwaybefore.Philliptotherescuethen,withoutfurtherado(literally):
Hetriesnottopressagainstanything,togostraightin.Sheisbreathingquicklyandas
hewithdrawsonthefirststrokehecanfeelherjerkingwithpleasure.Shethrustsherself
againsthim.Deancomesitslikeahaemorrhageandafterwardssheclaspshimtightly.
[...]Didyoulikeit,heasks.Beaucoup.
Well,whatcanIsay?Imspeechless.No,Imnotactually.Whenhefeelsherjerkingon
thefirststroke,obviouslythatmustbepleasure,accordingtohim.WhatIdliketodois
stickahotpokeruphisassforthefirsttimeever,straightin,justlikethat,andaskhim
exactlywhathefeelswhenhegivesoffalittleinvoluntaryjerk.Heseemstocome,ifIm
readingitcorrectly,onexactlythesecondstroke(doesntevenabidebythethreestrikes
beforeyoureoutrule),whichisprobablywhyshewassoprofuselythankful.Whilst,in
allprobability,thehaemorrhagewashersandnothis.
Now,therearethosewhoaregoingtosaythisbookisntjustaboutsex.Fine,Ill
disregardabout120pages(outof200)andgowiththatforawhile.Whatelsedowehave
here?AyoungAmericanaimlesslytraversingoldEuropeinhedonisticAbandon?
PatriciaHighsmithdoesitsomuchbetterinTheTalentedMrRipley.EvenHenry
MillersTropicisbetter.AyoungAmericanlookingforanswerstoexistentialangstin
France?HarveySwadosdoesitsomuchbetterinNightsintheGardensofBrooklyn.A
youngAmericanwearyofthemortalcoilseekingtoputsalveonhisdepressionbygoing

abroad?PaulBowlesdoesitsomuchbetterinTheShelteringSky.Infact,anybodyout
therewritingaboutayoungAmericanquestinginpartsbeyondtheseashasprobably
doneitbetter.Ifyouwroteaboutit,youwoulddoitbetter.
(less)
18likesLikeseereview
Chrissieratedit

reviewofanotheredition

Dec15,2007

absolutelysomeofthemostbeautifulproseever.seriously.i'mnowajamessalter
devotee.
i'mgladineverhadtoreadthisbookinaschoolsettingbecauseit'sthekindofbookthat
wouldbecompletelyspoiledbyliteraryanalysis."whatphallicsymbolismliesinthe
car?""whoisthenarrator?""howdoestheimvaginazationoftheanusfigureintothe
narrator'sdetachmentfrommodernsociety?"blah.blah.BLAH.pickthisupandletthe
languagetakeyou.forgettherest.
18likesLikeseereview
Ericaddeditreviewofanotheredition
Shelves:ficciones,travels,shouldreread,favorites

Dec10,2014

NickDsindictmentneedsnoadditionalcount,soIwillonlyregisterthisnovels
activationofacollegiateboredom,atediumIassociatewithacurricularcorpusoffilms
mostlyFrench,halfremembered,alluntitledinwhichchancecouplingsplayoutinan
atmosphereoflanguoroustensionandmomentoustriviality,silencesandshruggedouis.
But,muchliketheboredomofthosefilms,theboredomofDeanandAnneMaries
liaison(asdistinctfromthenarratorsotheractivities,inventionsandobservations)
becomes,withthepassageofchapters,tolerable,evenattimeshabitableunderthe
bracingformalcoolofSalterswriting.IliketothinkthatthecomposerNedRorem,an
admirerofASportandaPastime,foundinSaltersstylewhathefoundinDebussyand
Ravelasoundparadoxicallyopulentandleansumptuousbones.Ialsolikethatthis
novel,unlike,say,GuyDavenportsBordeauxsetSomeLinesofVirgil,keepsaloof
fromsundrenchedsexualpastoral,theslickedandswelteringafternoonofthefaun,and
insteaderoticizesawintrydrizzlyFrance.Saltergivesusaneroticsofrefuge,ofshelter
strangersdrivenintoeachotherswarmth:

Itsabitternight.Flatsofrainarepassing.Heavydropsringinthegutter
outsidetheirwindow,buttheyareinadovecote,theyarepigeonsbeneath
theeaves.Therainisfallingallaroundthem.Deepinfeathers,breathing
softly,theylie.Hisspermswimsslowlyinsideher,oozingoutbetweenher
legs.

ThisisthefirstbookIvereviewedbutnotrated.Awarenessofitslongueursand
indifferencetoitsloverscannotcanceltheafterglowofitsstyle,orthefaintitchtoreadit
again.

Asforthecar,it'sacuriousthingit'sregisteredinthenameofPritchard,
16bisrueJardin,andtheyknowhim.He'soffinGreeceforthesummer,
theythink,butthey'llhandlethat,too.Perhaps.It'sparkedunderthetrees
nearthehouseandlocked,butlikeanoldmanfading,ithasalreadybegun
crumblingbeforeone'seyes.Thetiresseemsmooth.Thereareleavesfallen
onthehood,thewhitenedroof.Aroundthewheelsonecandetectthefirst,
faintdiscoloringofchrome.Theleatherinside,seenthroughwindows
whicharethemselvesstreakedblue,isdryandcracked.Thereitsits,this
stilledmachine,theelectricclockonthedashtickingunheard,slowly
drainingthelastoflife.Andonedaytheclockiswrong.Thehandsare
frozen.Itisended.

(less)
14likesLikeseereview

Xioratedit
Shelves:booksfrommy30s

Dec10,2007

Holycow,Ijustfinishedthisoverlunchandamstrugglingwiththeattempttoactually
stayhereatworkandnotjustrunoutintothestreetstofindaglassofwineandaticket
toeuropeorsomewhereanywhereelseandweardressesandheelsandfindloversin
darkcornersofdancehallsand...sigh...
OneofthefinestendingsinanovelI'vehadthepleasuretoencounter.
LKmadeareferenceto'OntheRoad'andIofcoursewasimmediatelythinkingof
Fitzgerald.Myminddwellsindetails,moments,patterns.OfcourseIseetheprettyrich
peopleindulgingthemselves,thatexploitativetourismripoffoftheAmericantourist
imperialist...
However!!!Therearesomelinesthatjustturnmeon,theyareelectrifyingandfeeljust
right,youknow?Haven'tfeltlikethatsinceoh,whenIfirststartedCeline,orAgee's'A
DeathInTheFamily'maybe.PerfectlycapturedmomentsHallmarkcouldonlydestroy
withitsbanality.
So,whileIrecognizethestoryandthecharactersitsnotwheremyheadrestsIdon't
actuallycarethatmuchaboutthose'people'.(althoughIfoundmyselfthinkingabout
themwhenIwasn'tactuallyreading.)Idocareabouttheauthorandwhatheisupto
thoughandSalterisuptosomethingwonderfulandlovelyhere,atleastwiththe
phrasingofthisnovel.(less)
11likesLikeseereview
JoselitoHonestlyandBrilliantlyratedit

Sep18,2014

Hehasanamefortheaggressivepartofthemalegenitalia:prick.Buthehasnonamefor
thatofthefemale's.SoforonceeveryfivepagesorsowouldcomehisfriendDean'sprick
,hardoncemore,joyouslybeinginsertedagainbetweenherlegs.Somethingseemingly
unnamablebetweenherlegs.Maybehedidn'tknowwhatthatthingiscalled.Ormaybe
hehadhismotherwithhimashewrotethis,constantlypeeringoverhisshoulder,plying
himwithcoffeeandbiscuitsandmassaginghisbackwhilewhisperingeverynowand
then:"Son,Iknowyouliketowriteaboutsex.Youmaywrite'prick'allyouwant,as
frequentlyasyoumaydeemnecessary,foryourfatheris,andhas,aprick.Butnever
disrespectuswomenbybeingsimilarlycrassaboutit.Keepourmysteryalive."
Sowehavethisaberrationwritteninanirritatingstyle(asingleword,orashortphrase,
forasentence,repeatedlydone,likehewasdreamingandtalkinginhissleep).About
someAmericansinFrance,oglingandfuckingyoungandprettyFrenchgirls.Thetitle
moralizesforitisliftedfromtheHolyKoran:"Rememberthatthelifeofthisworldisbut
asportandapastime..."(less)
7likesLikeseereview
Jennaratedit
Shelves:fiction

Jul16,2012

WhenIwastwentyfivepagesawayfromfinishingthisbook,IstartedplanningoutwhatI
wouldsayinmyGoodreadsreview.IdecidedIwantedtosaysomethingadmiringand
yetfaintlycritical,suchas"Alanguidlypacedlovestory,writteninimmaculately
finishedprose."IplannedtotouchuponmymixedfeelingstowardSalter'suseofan
unreliablenarrator:NickCarraway'santithesis,aratherpatheticwouldbe
photographerinhismidthirties,adefiantvoyeurandobsessiveconfabulatorwhomixes
realityandfantasy,desireandmemory,schoolboyishheroworshipandseething
bisexuallust,inhischroniclingoftheloveaffairbetweenhisIvyLeaguerfriend/protege
PhilipDeanandthenubileFrenchteenagerAnneMarieCostallat.Iwasplanningto
writeareviewthatwasapprovingandyetsubtlycondescending,areviewthatwas
respectfulandyetnotwithoutreservations.
ThenIreadthelastsevenchaptersofthebook,and,thunderclaplike,myheart
shattered.Icanseenothingexceptthebeautyofthisnovelnow,thedarkaquilinebeauty
ofitsslowfatalisticswooptowardanabsolutelystunningdenouement.(less)
7likesLikeseereview

MichaelMeeuwisratedit

Oct06,2013

I'dheardthisonepraisedtothisstars,butIfounditridiculous.IthinkI'm
constitutionallyunabletotakesexor,sorry,Sexasseriouslyasthisbookdoes:"Ashis
[redacted]goesintoher,hediscoverstheworld."(ApparentlyhervaginaisBuddhism?)
Somegenuinelyuglybusinessaboutracearoundtheedges,too:"Eighteen,anda
n[*****]foraboyfriend."Anyway,thenarratorrecounts(imagines?)anaffairbetween
Dean,aYalie,andAnneMarie,hislissome,personalitylessFrenchfuckdoll.Astheir
affairproceedsthroughhermajororifices,theydiscovertheirinterests:Dean,
penetrationAnne,shopping.It'salwaysnicetoreadaboutyoungpeoplegettingonwell
together,butIdon'tknowthattheirendlesscouplingsreallycontainthesecretsofthe
universe(masculineedition)inthewaythattheauthorthinkstheydo.Theopening20%
orso,beforeDeanandJumpoffgetdowntoit,iswellobservedIwouldmayberead
Salterwritingaboutothertopics?Butthiswasengorgingly,throbbinglyoverrated.(less)
6likesLikeseereview
M.L.Rudolphratedit

Feb01,2012

1967.Tenderstory,beautifullynarratedofaprivilegedyoungexpatriateAmerican's
passionateandsensualloveaffairwithaneighteenyearoldFrenchwoman.
Theunreliablenarratorisolder,34,andmeetsPhillipDean,aYalieonsabbaticalata
pension(?)inthetownofAutun.But,thenarratortellsus,"Noneofthisistrue.I'vesaid
Autun,butitcouldeasilyhavebeenAuxerre."Andheremindsusperiodicallythat
thoughtheremaybeelementsoftruthtothetale,hemademuchofitupforhisown
vicariousreasons.HecreatedinDeanaheroforhisownlostyouth.(Lostyouth?!He's
34!)
AndsowefollowDeanonthismadeuptaleashemeetsAnneMarieandtheyexplore
southernFrancetogetawayfromeveryonetheyknowsotheycandevotethemselvesto
oneanotherbodyandsoul.
Yes,DeanandAnneMariedomeetandtheydodisappearonalongsojourntothesouth,
butthedetails,thesightsandsoundsandsmellsoftheirintenselovemakingareall
constructsofthenarrator'simagination.(IfAnneMariewasanyyounger,Imight
considerthenarratorapaleversionofHumbertHumbert.)
Strongvisuals.Strongsenseofplace:I'vetraveledbesidethosecanalsunderthose
poplarseatenthosecroissantsinthosesmalltowncafesclimbedthosestairsinthose
ruralinns.Salter'sstylealmostfeelscubist,imagefragmentsassembledtocreatemore
thanthesumoftheirparts.Hedemandsanattentivereader.
ButitwouldberemissnottocalloutSalterforhishandlingofclassandracewhichmade
mestrugglewiththeoverallstory.Thoseinstancesarethreadedseamlesslythroughthe
narration,meaningyoucouldconsidersuchattitudesthoseofthisunreliable,horny
narratorashewisheshewasyounger,richer,andabletofindaloverfromamongthose
Frenchwomenhelonginglyeyes.ButIthinknot.ThosewereSalter'sviewsandthey
detract,formeatanyrate,fromanotherwiselovinglytoldstory.
Likeableforitstimeandplace.Unlikeableforitsembeddedbias.
(less)
6likesLikeseereview
Keithratedit
Shelves:5starreading,ebooks,fiction,2013

Jan05,2013

PickingupJamesSalter'sASportandaPastime(1966)rangseveralsoftbellsinmy
mind.IknowthatatsomepointinthedimanddistantpastIhadreadanessayorreview
thatcelebratedhisincredibletalent.Thistalentistobediscoveredinasmallshelfof
novels,essaysandshortstories.OfhisfivenovelsSalterhaspubliclystatedthatonlyA
SportandaPastimehascomeclosetolivinguptohisstandards.Despitehissmall
outputandhisowncriticismofitSalterisreveredamongmanyintheliterary
community.ItisanechoofthisreputationthatIencounteredsomeyearsago.Salter's
styleinASportandaPastimeremindedmeofHemingwayandthenarrativeofHenry
Miller.SubsequentlyIdiscoveredthatSalterdespisesHemingwaybothasawriterand
asamanandcreditshisinfluencesasAndreGideandThomasWolfe.Nevertheless,
howeveronedescribesthestyleorwhatevermemoriesitevokesitisspecific,almost

compressed.HereSalterdescribesParisaftertheAugustholidays:

September.Itseemstheseluminousdayswillneverend.Thecity,which
wasalmostemptyduringAugust,nowisfillingupagain.Itisbeing
replenished.Therestaurantsareallreopening,theshops.Peopleare
comingbackfromthecountry,thesea,fromtripsonroadsalljammedwith
cars.Thestationisverycrowded.Therearechildren,dogs,familieswith
oldpiecesofluggageboundbystraps.Imakemywayamongthem.Itslike
beinginatunnel.FinallyIemergeontothebrillianceofthequai,beneatha
roofofglasspanelswhichseemstomagnifythelight.

Saltercanalsobebothcompressedandbrutallysuccinctasinthis:"Herlifehasno
solution.Itislikeacrimethatcannotbeundone."
Thebookitselfisonesustainedpieceoferoticadescribinganintenseloveaffairbetween
ayoungFrenchgirlandanAmericantourist.Whatelevatesthebookistheincredibly
cannymethodSlaterusestodescribetheirrelationship.Heemployswhatmustrankas
oneofthemostunreliableofunreliablenarratorsIhaveeverencountered.Thenarrator
describestheirtrystsinelaboratedetailbuthowdoesheknow?Theyoungmannever
tellshim.Ishemakingitupormerelyelaborating?Thischoicemakesthereadera
voyeurintherelationship.Despitethealmostlanguidpaceofthestorybehindittherea
velocityasthetwolovershurtlealongtheirchosenpaths.Brilliant.Salterisnow87but
hasanewbookoutinApril.
Moreinformationforthecurious:
TheParisReviewinterview:http://is.gd/d0o1oF
A2012interviewonTheMillionsBlog:http://is.gd/Awo54p(less)
6likesLikeseereview
Leeratedit
reviewofanotheredition
Sep12,2007
Recommendsitfor:mentryingtoconvincewomentoreconsiderthenotionthattheirlowestorificeis
aonewaystreet

Ijustfinishedthisandtheaubiblesoundmymouthmadewas"wow".Itrustthat
unconsciousaudiblereaction,andamamazedwhenIhearit,howpureitis,allthat's
neededforanhonestreview.Fantasticsentences.France.Like"OntheRoad,"complete
withamalewriter'smancrushonamythicDean,butbyproperYalegrad/GIinsteadof
Beatathlete.Apageofdatedrascismmakesitaperiodpiece,asdosomeclassist/sexist
passages,buttheluscious,lascivious,lovinglyrenderedbuggerydescriptionsare
timeless.Thebesthighbroweroticwritingever.Notthesortthatgetsyouhot:moreso,
internalorgansdropafoottillintestinesandothernecessarystuffminglewiththeloins'
darktwists.It'snotallnaughtiness:theskyisdescribedasaruinedpalazzo.Makesyou
wonderifUpdikestole"aruinedweddingcake"fromSaltertodescribetheColisseumor
ifSalterstoleitfromhim.(less)
6likesLikeseereview
AndrewSchirmerratedit

reviewofanotheredition

May23,2013

Oddlyenough,Salter'seroticclassicremindedmeofnothingsomuchasVictorSegalen's
RenLeystheideaofgettingattheheartofacountrybyfuckingoneofitsinhabitants
exceptforthefactthatSalter'sPhilipDeanisnearlycompletelylackingincuriosity.
Segalen'sprotagonistsareinsatiableintheirdesiretopenetrate,togettotheheartof
China.Insomeways,thenarrationanddescriptionsofthesmalltownsareagauzy
cinematictributetoFrance,buttheattitudeoftheprotagonistsarejarringlyindifferent.
However,Salter'sopusiscertainlyacutabovetheaverageyanksfuckabroadnovelin
thattherelationshipdescribedistheimaginedmusingsofaboredandboringnarrator,
whoseowncourtshipsgonowhere.
Thereissomelovelywritinghere,thesentencesarehardformedandcuttothequick
butoccasionallygrateinthatHemingwaysortofway.Ilongedforsomethingmoreflorid.
Asareader,Ifoundthesexmercifullybrief.Asaheterosexualmale,Ifounditachingly
hot.ButIwonderhowawomanwouldfindit...?(less)
5likesLikeseereview

ErikEvensonratedit

Jul01,2009

ElevenpagesintoASportandaPastime,theunnamednarratorthrowsusacurveball:
"Noneofthisistrue,"hesays."Iamonlyputtingdowndetailswhichenteredme,
fragmentsthatwereabletopartmyflesh."Fromthatpointon,Ifoundmyselfreading
withsquintedeyes.Thelieswouldberevealing.Nonemoresothanthe
observation/creationbythenarratorofthe24yearoldYaledropout,PhillipDean,one
halfofthecouplethatcopulatesincessantlythroughoutthebook.Phillipoccasionall
...more
5likesLikeseereview
Michaelratedit
Shelves:1960s,classicsclub,erotica,litexp13,modernclassic

Apr18,2013

1950sFrance,anAmericanmiddleclasscollegedropoutPhilipDeanbeginsalovewith
ayoungFrenchgirl.Butthissad,tenderstoryoftheireroticaffairhasbeencapturedby
awitness,aselfconsciouslyunreliablenarrator.Thisnarratorfreelyadmitsthatsomeof
theobservationsarehisownfantasyofthecouplemakingASportandAPastimean
intenselycarnalaccountofthisaffairandinpartafeverishdream.
JamesSalterswritinginthisbookisreallyinterestinghecreatesthiswonderful
imagerywiththescenery,thecolours,thesmellsandwhenitcomestotheeroticsideof
thisstorythiscontinuesinawaythatneverfeltcrudeoroverdone.Surethedescriptions
mightfeelreallytameforourgenerationbutthereisareallyricalwayaboutthewhole
bookthatreallyworkedforme.IwilladmitthatIvenotheardofJamesSalterbeforebut
ImveryimpressedwithhisstylethatIwouldbecurioustoreadmore.
TherelationshipwithPhilipDeanandtheFrenchgirl,AnneMarie,isjustwonderfully
portrayedthereisnosenseoflovebetweenthetwo,onlyrawpassion.AnneMariehasa
healthysexualappetiteandshewasntafraidtotellhimwhatshewantedwhichIfinda
littlerare,especiallyconsideringtheyearthiswaswritten.Whileshefeelslikesheis
dominatingattime,thereareothertimesshefeelreallysubmissiveandIthinkSalter
didawonderfuljobingettingthatbalanceright.
TheunreliablenarratorwastrickytogetusedtoafriendofPhilipsfromYale,hewason
holidaysenjoyingregionalFrancebutheseemedratherobsessedwiththisaffair.You
neverquiteknowwhatisrealandwhatismadeupinhishead,sometimeshewilltellyou
butmostofthetimeyouareleftwondering.Itwouldbeweirdhavinganarratorstanding
besidethebedwhileyouhavesexsoyouhavetoassumethatmostofthesexiseitherhis
ownfantasyorwordofmouth.
IdolikethewayJamesSalterusedthisnarratortocreatethisalmostdreamlikestory
andIexpectthereisalotmoreinthenovelworthexploring.Witharereadortwo,Im
sureyouwilldiscoversomeinterestingelements.IthinkSalterwastryingtoexplorethe
emotionsbehindsexbutsometimesthatfeelsalittleambiguousthetenderness,thrill,
passionallcomeoutratherclearbutattimesIthoughttherewasanelementofboredom
andselfishnessthatwasalsocomingout,justnotaswell.
ASportandAPastimeisawonderfullylyricalnovelworthsinkingyourteethinto,the
shortsentencesreallygiveitapoeticfeelthroughoutthewholebook.IwasntsurewhatI
wasexpectingbutIamgladIgaveitatry.IhavetowonderwhyJamesSalterneverhad
commercialsuccess,wasitbecausehewasamisogynist?Hisstyleremindsmeabit
SteinbeckandHemingwayandyetheisntaspopularasthetwo.ImnotsureifIwould
readmuchmoreintheeroticgenrebutIwillhavetocheckoutsomeHenryMilleror
AnasNininthefuture.
Thisrevieworiginallyappearedonmybloghttp://literaryexploration.com/2013/...
(less)
5likesLikeseereview
JimCoughenourratedit
Shelves:europeanfiction

Jul23,2011

SpurredbyastrandofadulationIreadsomewhere,IorderedASportandaPastime,a
sexidyllsetinaFrenchvillage.Apparentlythisnovelcausedsomethingofastirin1967,
withitspreciousprose,redolentofnovelswhichusewordslike"redolent"andits
reverentobsessionwiththeminutiaeofmakinglove.AndbeforeIsayanythingelse,I'll
acknowledgethatitdoescastacertaingoldenspell.Ireaditthisweekmostlyonthe
trainbackandforthfromworkitcaughtmeupimmediately,transmutingthecommute

intowistfulreverie,ahazyhomelesshappiness,atleastuntilIlookedup...
Salteris(orwas)famousforhisfinewriting.It'struehespinsasuperbsentenceoutof
seemingairwithdeliberateeasebutthroughoutIwasremindedofthesupersaturated
proseofLawrenceDurrell'sAlexandriaQuartet.Readersofacertainagewillremember
howitallbegins:
Theseaishighagaintoday,withathrillingflushofwind.Inthemidstofthewinter
youcanfeeltheinventionsofSpring.Askyofhotnudepearluntilmidday
Andhere'sthekickofffromASport:
September.Itseemstheseluminousdayswillneverend.Thecity,whichwasalmost
emptyduringAugustnowisfillingupagain.Itisbeingreplenished.
Theepicureanapproachtolove,theocculteroticentanglements,arealso,inescapably,
redolentofDurrell.I'mnotcomplaining,Iabsolutelyenjoythisspecificquality
sometimes,althoughaswithfoiegrasorburratait'seasytogorge.
Themostcuriousaspectofthisheterosexualsublime,though,isthestructureofthe
story.Theintenselyobservant,achinglyintimatedetailsofthecentralaffaireare
narratedbyathirdparty,anAmericancalfofacharacterwhobyanysemblanceof
realitywouldbarelyknowanyofthestoryhetells.Whichmakesallthebrushedprose
aboutgushingcuntsandenormouspricksandtransgressivepenetrationsabitweird.
Thenarratorremindsus,morethanonce,that"Noneofthisistrue.Iamonlyputting
downdetailswhichenteredme,fragmentsthatwereabletopartmyflesh.It'sastoryof
thingsthatneverexistedalthougheventhefaintestdoubtofthat,thesmallest
possibility,plungeseverythingintodarkness."
Ornot.HereissomethingbeyondthebromanceofKerouacandDeanMoriarty
(althoughtheloverisnamedDean)thesecretsodomyoftherepressed.Bythisreading
thisentiretaleofineffablecarnalityisnothingbutthehottorturedbreathofavoyeur.
(less)
5likesLikeseereview
ratedit

reviewofanotheredition

Dec20,2014

:http://knigolandia.info/bookreview/i...
,,,,,
,,
,.,
,
.,
,
,,,
,,

.,
,.

http://knigolandia.info/bookreview/i...(less)
4likesLikeseereview
Williamratedit
reviewofanotheredition
Shelves:favorites,americanfiction

Apr24,2015

Youhavetoloveanovelthatrendersvaginalpenetrationas,"Heintroducedhimself."
5likesLikeseereview
Izumenratedit
reviewofanotheredition
Shelves:20th21stcentury,erotic,novels,personallibrary

Dec16,2014

:,
,""
..,
.,
.,
.

...more
4likesLikeseereview
Carbonratedit

Jun01,2013

Thisreviewhasbeenhiddenbecauseitcontainsspoilers.Toviewit,clickhere.
4likesLikeseereview
StelaMarkovaratedit

reviewofanotheredition

Dec28,2014

"",
,.""

"",
.
4likesLikeseereview
Nooilforpacifistsratedit
Shelves:modernamericanfiction

May25,2015

Aneroticnovel,supposedly.ButtheheroisthewritingitselfHemingwayesque,but
Fitzgeraldesqueaswell,becausetheeventsaretoldthroughathirdpartynarrator.And
he'sanunreliablenarrator:emotionallystuntedjealousneitherphysicallypresentto
see,nortold,thefacts.Andthere'shintsthenarrator'sadmirationmaybe,atleastin
part,homosexual.Soit'sagauzyportraitwherethereaderhastointerpolatebetween
thefirstandthirdpersons.ButcentralFranceintheearly60sayoungcoupledriving
aroundinaconvertibleshe'sinlovehe'sdetachedandinlust.Allwhileournarrator
lurksjustlikethereaderasavoyeur.
Evenifyoubuyforthesex,you'llstayforthewriting.(less)
3likesLikeseereview
MardyBumratedit
Shelves:2015

reviewofanotheredition

Apr16,2015

,,
.,
,.
,
.
,
.,...more
3likesLikeseereview
Ronratedit

Apr09,2012

LikeSalter'sothernovels,thisbookisastudyinheroworship.Heretheheroisnota
fighterpilot("TheHunters")oranalpinemountainclimber("SoloFaces")butalover,
whoseintenselyeroticaffairwithayoungFrenchwomanisimaginedbythenovel's
narrator,acasualfriendwhoscarcelyknowshim.PhillipDean(likeareallife
counterpartJamesDean)isinhistwenties,goodlooking,intelligent,andwithafatal
attractiontofastcars.(DeanMoriartyofKerouac's"OntheRoad"alsocomestomind.)
Asamovie,thiswouldbeNC17material.Farfromromance,it'sagraphicportrayalof
theunpredictableinterplayofdesiresandemotionsbetweentwopeoplephysically
attractedtoeachother.Andinitsfascinationwiththeshiftingmoodsofloversconsumed
bytheirpassions,itis"veryFrench."
Thoughpublished,andapparentlyset,inthe1960s,thebookcapturesthelookandfeel
ofpostwarFrance.Theprovincialtownswhereittakesplacearelifelessandsilent,
seeminglyexhausted.Salter'sgiftforseizingsharplydrawnimpressionsfromfleeting
imagesmakesthesettingsalmostjumpfromthepage.Writteninpresenttense,his
sentencesareshortandoftenfragmentary.Whileevokingthegreatweightofhistory,his
imageshavetheimmediacyofthepresent.AnAmericanreaderwhohastraveledin
EuropewillrecognizetheemotionsSalterdescribes.
Meanwhile,thestoryislayeredwithironies.Thenarratorhimselfseemstohavealife
thatisalmostemptyoferos,andheremindsusthatforallitsgraphicdetail,hehas
imaginedalltheintimaciesofDeanandAnneMarie'saffair.Maybethelessoninthishas

todowithourownperceivedinadequaciesandvoyeuristiccuriosityabouttheprivate
livesofothers,especiallycelebritiesandpublicfigures.Almost40yearslater,Salter's
novelstandsupverywelltoday,itsvisionanditsambiguitiesmorepointedthanever.
(less)
3likesLikeseereview
Melodyratedit
Shelves:secondmondaybookgroup,wowbookgroup

Mar19,2013

MyselectionforMarchWOW,andApril2ndMonday.
seelastpartforreviewalthoughthereisn'tmuchtomyreview.
Earlythoughts:
Sothisishowitissofar.Ireadtoaboutpage50.ThenIsaidtomyself(andsayingthings
tooneselfisjustwhatyouaresoinclinedtodowhilereadingthisbookandabsorbingthe
mood)I'mnotsurehowIgothereorwhathappenedalongtheway.SoIstartedre
reading.AndAhha!That'swhathe'sdoing.JustlikeIhadtogoforwardthenbackwards
...more
3likesLikeseereview
Nickratedit

Jul24,2010

Salter'snovel,atthedistanceofsomanydecades,isclearlywellloved,deemedworthyof
aModernLibraryedition.Onecanseewhy:thisnovelmustinthesixtieshaveseemed
likeabreathoffreshair,withitsParisiansetting,shiftingpointofview,itselegant,
slipperyprose,itsvarietyofsexualencountersalongthecourseofanaffair.Perhapsit
waspathbreakinginitsday,butatthisjunctureitsloversseemacrobaticbutnotwell
characterized.Andthepacingisricketythenarratorandincidentalpartygoers(some
ofwhomseemmoreinterestingthanthecoupleatthecenter)takethestage,followedby
thecasualloverswho,amidtheconstantcouplingandfornodiscerniblereason,
suddenlyturnserious,andcappedbyawistfulaccountofthefateful,deusexmachina
endingthatseemsforced.Thenovelseemsmisshapen,simultaneouslyoverdetermined
andunderplotted,allheatandnopulse.(less)
3likesLikeseereview
Paularatedit
Shelves:fiction

reviewofanotheredition

Jul06,2011

Irarelyabandonabook,butSalter'snovel,albeitstylisticallyelegant,issimplyboring.
Hecanwriteperfectsentences.I'llgranthimthat.Butthenovelitselfdoesn'taddupto
anythingIneedorwanttoknow,seeordiscover.Asmanyreviewershavenoted,the
novelseemsdated.Infact,IhadtocontinuallyremindmyselfthatthesettingisFrance
1962andnotdecadesearlier.ThereareechosofTenderIstheNightbutwithoutthe
fascinatingdrivingoffacliffcrazinessofFitzgerald'snovel.Asforsexism,theFrench
FeministswouldhavehadafielddaydeconstructingASportandaPastimeaccordingto
thetheoryofTheGaze.Asforracism,thereareafewinstancesofthe"n"wordin
conjunctionwithabitofracialstereotyping.Theseflareupintheheadlights,sotospeak,
andthenaregonecasual,surnoisastheFrenchmightsay,butnotterriblymeaningful.
(less)
3likesLikeseereview
SusanJ.ratedit
Recommendsitfor:LoversofConsciousnessandConsciousLovers
Shelves:fiction

Jan07,2008

ThisbookpretendstotellthestoryofafootlooseYaledropoutandhisloveaffairin
France,asseenbyhisslightlylessdebonairbutwantingfriend.
Ialmostlostfaithinit...halfwaythrough(eventhoughgreatadmirersofthisbookloveit
forthisstoryalone),becausethemalefantasyseemedsotrite.
ButthenIrealizedthatthisbookhasanextraordinarysecret.Asecondstorybeginson
page11,anunwrittennarrativeunfolds,andifyouletitwhisperandunravelthroughthe
wholebookandeverythingyouallowyourwakingmindtotouchIhonestlydon'tthink
youcaneverbethesame.
Thebest/worstpartisthatIalmostmissedit.

(less)
3likesLikeseereview
previous12345678999100next

DiscussThisBook

newtopic

topics

posts views lastactivity

GoodreadsLibrari...:Wrongpagecountof"ASportandA
Pastime"

19

Sep07,2013
03:12PM

Moretopics...

2015GoodreadsInc

aboutus advertise authorprogram jobs api ourblog terms privacy help

switchto: mobileversion

You might also like