Polite Sex

by James Wilcox

Book Overview

The author's fifth novel (and his first set outside of Louisiana) spans 20 years in the lives of two Tula Springs girls seeking love and success in Manhattan. Wilcox reaches a new level of humor and empathy as he brilliantly traces the two girls' paths of dreams deferred.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060163569
• ISBN13: 9780060163563
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Length: 279 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.5" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Highly specialized love - of a particular sort

First off I have to say I'm not worthy to write a review of any James Wilcox novel - but I saw that it hadn't been reviewed and it's my favorite of his novels, so I'll try.The fun of this book, and of all of Wilcox's books, is how each character speaks for himself and succeeds in giving himself and his secrets away while trying very hard to retain his dignity and his secrets.Wilcox's books are FUN, and sly, and witty, and sometimes hard for mere mortals such as myself to understand at first.The two main characters, Emily and Clara, will be competing for your affection along with those of the men in the novel, whether they admit it or not. I think perhaps Wilcox's motto towards his characters could be "to understand all is to forgive all." Wilcox has a wonderful understanding of the beauty of human nature - and he certainly taught me to appreciate people's imperfections as part of their beauty.I have recently discovered Gail Godwin's excellent novels (The Good Husband and Violet Clay) and I think if you like her novels you will enjoy James Wilcox's Polite Sex.