A Literary Cavalcade-V

For six decades, writer and editor Robert A. Parker has followed up each book he reads, mainly novels, with an evaluation of that book. His comments are informed by an independent critical view that balances a moral and literary sensibility. In this fifth of six volumes, the authors covered range from Brian Moore to Neil Sheehan. They include Howard Norman, Edwin O’Connor, Orhan Pamuk, Ann Patchett, Walker Percy, David Plante, Reynolds Price, Mordecai Richler, Philip Roth, and Jose Saramago. There are at least 100 authors included in this volume, some represented by one book, some by five or more. The writers here represent a broad range of writing styles, cultural influences, and moral philosophies. And all are rated on their literary achievement, the effectiveness of plot, character, and setting, plus their recognition of the moral, ethical, and spiritual values of mankind.