James Purdy (1914–2009)

Malcolm is a young man who appears on a bench outside a hotel where he’s staying in New York City. Professor Cox, the leading astrologer of his time, seems to feel this state of affairs is wrong. A teenager with no apparent history, no goals, no friends – who claims to be waiting for his father – shouldn’t be spending his days on a bench. Professor Cox provides Malcolm with “addresses” of people in the city to get him off the bench.

Malcolm meets with the various eccentric acquaintances of the Professor, all of whom are smitten with the young man and want to keep him for themselves. His beauty, innocence and lack of guile endear him to almost everyone. He becomes involved in their silly doings – and is sometimes the cause. Eventually things turn dark for Malcolm and his innocence is incrementally lost. This is a humorous and sad book, touching and filled with absurdity.… (more)