PORTRAIT IN TWO COLOURS

The British side of a picture we have met- in books, in life- at home,- the return of the veteran, and the problems of readjustment. This is the story of Simon Calder, and his return to England after fighting his slice of war on patrol in the Persian desert, his inability to adjust to civilian life, to put himself back into the niche that was his. The home he returns to is not the home of his dreams. He cannot forget the horrors of war. Introspective probings and ramblings, somewhat confused flashbacks as Simon relives his unpleasant experiences, and finally ending on a religious note that seems a bit contrived. The major character is thrown into relief; the others are shadowy, indistinct. Well enough written, but the end impression is that it doesn't add much that is significant for American markets to the literature that has come out of the war.