All That Is

All That IsEnthralling John Banville Effortlessly beautiful, funny, sexy and wise Julie Myerson, Books of the Year, Observer All That Is explores a life unfolding in a world on the brink of change. The life is that of Philip Bowman and we see his formative experiences as a young naval officer in battles off Okinawa, his post war career as a book editor in New York, his trips to the great European cities for publishing parties in London, romantic holidays in

‘Enthralling’ - John Banville ‘Effortlessly beautiful, funny, sexy and wise’ - Julie Myerson, Books of the Year, Observer All That Is explores a life unfolding in a world on the brink of change. The life is that of Philip Bowman and we see his formative experiences as a young naval officer in battles off Okinawa, his post-war career as a book editor in New York, his trips to the great European cities – for publishing parties in London, romantic holidays in Paris. But despite his success, what eludes him is love. His first marriage goes bad, another fails to happen, finally he meets a woman who enthrals him before setting him on a course he could never imagine for himself. James Salter’s dazzling, seductive and haunting novel offers a fiercely intimate account of the great shocks and grand pleasures of being alive. ‘Full of verve and wisdom’ - Julian Barnes