A Window Across the River ***1/2

by Brian Morton
published by Harcourt Books
2003
289 pages

The river of which the title speaks of is the Hudson, so that would make this story set in New York City. All of this authors books (at least the ones that I have read) have been based in NYC, so anyone who is a New Yorkaphile would enjoy this book. I really enjoyed the last book written by this author was Starting Out in the Evening which the wonderful film by the same name is based on.

The story started out decently enough, but it looked to be nothing special. Two ex-lovers attempt to hook up again. Nora was a short story writer who felt she was in a professional rut. Her problem was that she can only write quality pieces when she uses people she knows and loves in her books. The problem is that she tends to dissect their personalities and hurt them when they find out. She ends up destroying her relationships. She is torn between writing and hurting her friends and family or not writing and taking care of people.

So she calls her ex, Isaac, a photographer to help her figure her way out of her situation. Nora looks to Isaac because she feels that he is a pure artist and can advise her, plus she's interested in reviving their relationship - perhaps.

Isaac on the other hand has a 9-5 job and is comfortable, but feels as if he has lost that vision and vitality. He feels embarrassed by Nora's admiration since he is not what he once was. He tries to get back on track to doing real art/photography.

Isaac has a couple of protege's. When they become successful, he is basically jealous of their youth, vitality and the fact that their future lies before them. He wants to be happy for them but he seethes in the light of his latest disappointments.

There are lot of themes that are interesting to me . Perhaps the most interesting is the youth vs aging theme. Youth will always pass up their elders, and that's difficult fort them. Aging myself, I can certainly relate. But there's also discussions about writing and art and those worlds and what it takes to make it in those worlds. And like the characters, I once had some half-assed pipe dreams of living that sort of exciting, Bohemian, intellectual life. But then one grows up, doesn't one.

Morton's strengths seem to be character development and the use of setting in his stories. His dialogue is direct and engaging. His books are a quick and enjoyable read, yet still give plenty of food for thought.