All That Is

Enthralling - John Banville Effortlessly beautiful, funny, sexy and wise - Julie Myerson, Books of the Year, Observer All That Is explores a life unfolding in a world on the brink of change. The life is that of Philip Bowman and we see his formative experiences as a young naval officer in battles off Okinawa, his post-war career as a book editor in New York, his trips to the great European cities for publishing parties in London, romantic holidays in Paris. But despite his success, what eludes him is love. His first marriage goes bad, another fails to happen, finally he meets a woman who enthrals him before setting him on a course he could never imagine for himself. James Salters dazzling, seductive and haunting novel offers a fiercely intimate account of the great shocks and grand pleasures of being alive. Full of verve and wisdom - Julian Barnes