SOJALS rating:

Mediocre (2/5)

I first read this on the 10th November 1995 and most recently on the 7th June 2006

Dr John Wagner is in his fifties, stuck in a Middle American university, dreaming of youth and excitement. He's pretty convinced it's all passed him by. Then a student makes him an offer that he simply can't refuse. A chance to re-live his life, to be young again. Of course, there's a price, but then there always is.

What does he go and do with his new youth? He runs off to San Francisco and deals drugs.

The above gives a brief introduction to the first story, "Dr Lucky" in the book. Also featured in this story is the lovely Maggie and We loosely follow the female members of her family through several more generations.

It's completely pointless me trying to say much about this book. I don't understand it. I'm pleasantly mystified by it, but I wouldn't change it for the world.

What! This is a collection of short stories!

Well, no (desperately struggling here) I don't think so.

I've always read it simply as a straight novel. Didn't occur to me that it could be anything else until I was writing this review. I admit that the sections are tenuously connected, but it's a heck of a lot more mysteriously satisfying as a novel.

Fab stuff.