Bill Roorbach's early "romantic memoir," SUMMERS WITH JULIET, is something of a hybrid puzzle, but maybe that's only me. It's a mix of nature writing and a love story. It documents the eight years he courted/dated Juliet Karelsen, who was eight-plus years younger than he, an independent free spirit, who wasn't ready to wed. But then neither was Roorbach, a sportsman, musician, drinker, guy's guy sort of man. They met in 1982 on Martha's Vineyard and enjoyed (endured?) an on-again off-again relationship for the next eight years as each pursued separate interests and part-time, pick-up jobs around New York, he as a plumber/construction worker and handyman, she as a waitress. Both were also long-time students, attending post-grad courses of study in painting (Juliet) and writing/literature (Bill). Roorbach read voluminously and wrote furiously, sporadically, dreaming of being a writer, as they traveled together during their summers - south to Georgia and Florida, and west to Colorado and Montana, their disparate personalities often clashing. Juliet was fearless and carefree, while Bill was a bundle of secret fears and anxieties. During these go-for-broke summer vacation trips, he read, wrote and taught himself the pleasurable skills of fly-fishing while she taught herself to paint. Probably the best part of Roorbach's writing is his self-effacing sense of humor. I mean this guy is very funny, and also a very good writer. His relationship with Juliet is laid out there, warts and quarrels and makings-up - it's all in there, sometimes quite moving and often just plain hilarious.

I love the way this guy writes. But I will admit that I skimmed a few of the parts about fish, fishing, turtles, birds - the "nature writing" stuff. I mean some of it was pretty interesting; you could tell it interested HIM, and that he'd enjoyed researching all of it and "observing" all this stuff. But me, nah, not so much as him. But don't mind me. This book is just filled with some damn fine writing. And I will particularly recommend it to my friends who are fishermen and outdoors enthusiasts. And since Roorbach obviously is a guy who loves books and literature, I'm pretty sure we could have some pretty good conversations. SUMMERS WITH JULIET (1992) was Roorbach's first book. And a damn good one. He's written several others since then. Soon I plan to read his newest book: THE REMEDY FOR LOVE, a novel due out this month. I am looking forward to it. Write on, Mr. Roorbach. ( )