3.7
"A Sport and a Pastime" by James Salter is a novel that explores the intense and passionate relationship between Philip Dean, a wealthy Yale graduate, and Anne-Marie, a young French woman, in 1960s France. The novel is narrated by an unnamed American observer, who imagines and reconstructs the details of the couple's relationship based on fragments of information and his own desires. Salter's prose is known for its sensual and evocative descriptions, and "A Sport and a Pastime" is no exception. The novel is a feast for the senses, as Salter masterfully captures the sights, sounds, and smells of France, as well as the physical and emotional intimacy between Philip and Anne-Marie. At its core, "A Sport and a Pastime" is a meditation on the nature of desire, obsession, and the human experience. The novel raises questions about the reliability of memory and the power of imagination, as the narrator's version of events may or may not be accurate. Salter's writing style is unique and distinctive, and "A Sport and a Pastime" is a prime example of his literary talent. The novel is not a traditional love story, but rather a complex and nuanced exploration of the human condition. It is a book that will linger in the minds of readers long after they have turned the final page. Overall, "A Sport and a Pastime" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that is not to be missed. It is a book that will appeal to fans of literary fiction, as well as those who enjoy character-driven narratives and evocative prose. Whether you are a seasoned reader or new to Salter's work, "A Sport and a Pastime" is a novel that is sure to leave a lasting impression...
John O'Hara
Appointment in Samarra
Like 'A Sport and a Pastime', 'Appointment in Samarra' is a novel that delves into the hidden desires and motivations of its characters. Set in the 1930s, it tells the story of a wealthy young man's self-destructive spiral, and, like Salter's novel, it explores themes of sexuality, class, and disillusionment.
Learn MoreGraham Greene
The End of the Affair
Greene's novel, like 'A Sport and a Pastime', is a deeply introspective and sensual work that explores the complexities of love and desire. The story of a love affair that ends tragically, it shares Salter's interest in the hidden aspects of human relationships and the power of memory.
Learn MoreWilliam Faulkner
Light in August
Faulkner's novel, like 'A Sport and a Pastime', is a lyrical and evocative work that explores the darker aspects of human nature. Set in the American South, it tells the story of a man on the run from his past, and, like Salter's novel, it delves into themes of identity, sexuality, and the search for meaning.
Learn MoreAlbert Camus
The Stranger
Camus's novel, like 'A Sport and a Pastime', is a philosophical and existential work that explores the human condition. The story of a man who commits a senseless murder, it shares Salter's interest in the themes of alienation, disconnection, and the search for meaning.
Learn MoreErnest Hemingway
The Sun Also Rises
Hemingway's novel, like 'A Sport and a Pastime', is a classic work of American literature that explores the themes of love, loss, and disillusionment. Set in Spain, it tells the story of a group of expatriates who are searching for meaning in their lives, and, like Salter's novel, it delves into the complexities of human relationships.
Learn MoreHenry Miller
Tropic of Cancer
Miller's novel, like 'A Sport and a Pastime', is a bold and unapologetic work of literature that explores the themes of sexuality and desire. Set in Paris, it tells the story of a struggling writer who is searching for meaning in his life, and, like Salter's novel, it delves into the hidden aspects of human relationships.
Learn MoreJean Rhys
Wide Sargasso Sea
Rhys's novel, like 'A Sport and a Pastime', is a work of literature that explores the themes of sexuality, identity, and disconnection. A prequel to 'Jane Eyre', it tells the story of Bertha Mason, the madwoman in the attic, and, like Salter's novel, it delves into the complexities of human relationships and the power of memory.
Learn MoreD.H. Lawrence
Women in Love
Lawrence's novel, like 'A Sport and a Pastime', is a work of literature that explores the themes of sexuality, desire, and identity. Set in England, it tells the story of two sisters and their relationships with two men, and, like Salter's novel, it delves into the complexities of human relationships and the power of desire.
Learn MoreEdith Wharton
The Age of Innocence
Wharton's novel, like 'A Sport and a Pastime', is a work of literature that explores the themes of love, desire, and social class. Set in New York City, it tells the story of a man who is engaged to be married but falls in love with another woman, and, like Salter's novel, it delves into the complexities of human relationships and the power of desire.
Learn MoreF. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby
Fitzgerald's novel, like 'A Sport and a Pastime', is a work of literature that explores the themes of love, desire, and the American Dream. Set in the 1920s, it tells the story of a man who becomes obsessed with a woman he cannot have, and, like Salter's novel, it delves into the complexities of human relationships and the power of desire.
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