Nov 21, 2008

Winter: 1978 | Winter: 1978

At a glance:

Author: Ann Beattie
First Published: 1981
Type of Plot: Social realism
Time of Work: 1978
Setting: Los Angeles and Connecticut
Principal Characters: Nick, Benton, Olivia, Elizabeth, Jason, Ena, Uncle Cal
Genres: Social realism, Short fiction
Subjects: Emotions, Death or dying, Family reunions, Thanksgiving Day
Locales: Connecticut, Los Angeles, CA

The Story

The story begins in Los Angeles, where the protagonist, Nick, who grew up with Benton in New England, now works in the recording industry. When Benton, with his girlfriend Olivia, flies to Los Angeles to sell his latest batch of paintings to a wealthy, eccentric patron, he calls on his old friend Nick for moral support. Nick has had trouble adjusting to the deals, drugs, and flamboyance of Southern California, but Olivia, who is constantly experimenting with drugs, seems at home with the decadent Hollywood scene. At the news that Benton's younger brother Wesley has...

[The entire page is 1680 words long]

Winter: 1978 | Winter: 1978

At a glance:

The Story

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