Book summary

A novel about the conflicts between an aging couple, a brother and sister, living on a farm in Vermont. Sally and James represent the old American values, which seem to be about to end; they see decadence and decline all around them, including the trashy thriller, a novel Sally finds in the pigsty that provides a running alternate text to the main plot. In the end, however, the two become more accepting of change.

Media reviews

"John Gardner's most touching and accessible work of fiction."