From the boys of an urban high school (The Blackboard Jungle) to the young marrieds of a suburban development- here a...

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STRANGERS WHEN WE MEET

From the boys of an urban high school (The Blackboard Jungle) to the young marrieds of a suburban development- here a stronger monitor system obtains- the next door neighbors. Pretty much above the loose talk and freeloading attitudes of most of their acquaintances on the block are Larry Cole, an architect, and Eve, his wife, and they have a reasonably successful marriage as well as a bright future- Larry has been offered a big job in Puerto Rico. But for the first time he is shaken when he sees Margaret Gault whose cool manner is no cover for her passionate possibilities, who has never been in love, and is dissatisfied in her marriage to a repressed type. ""Strangers when they meet"" each week- in a motel, the urgency of their affair increases; Larry is unable to make up his mind about Puerto Rico; Eve is increasingly apprehensive. Warned gently by an older woman next door, Larry foolishly turns to neighbor Felix for an indoctrination in infidelity based on Felix' own stud bull activities- and this ricochets on Eve. And finally Larry, caught in a conflict he cannot resolve (neither can Hunter) is spared the moment of decision. Over and above the read-on compulsion here (will Larry leave Eve?, will Eve find out? etc., etc.) sex is the kick and there are many untamed scenes. It is definitely not literature- but it may well be commercial and the publishers will help it along; just as probably, the critics will send it to the shower rooms to cool off.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1958

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