THE YEAR OF THE WHITE TREES

The excitement- the elusiveness- and the evasions of an affair are rather tremulously transcribed through the story of Anneira Veck, not altogether inexperienced but unworldly, and Ellis Springbok, an older, married concert violinist who offers nothing- and gives less- other than his temperamental and definitely temporary presence as he comes, on tour, to Chicago. Anneira, unashamedly submissive, has the slimmest satisfactions from this relationship, endures its social discomforts as well, and wants only some sort of affirmation of his commitment to her -- which he gives her as he leaves her for the last time..... For women- who can hear with Springbok, he is insufferably selfish, and Anneira, a palpitant heroine, a form of romantic release at the rental level.