At 65, George Bland has been looking forward to retirement and the commencement of his long-anticipated journey to the Far East with his good friend, Putnam. When Putnam suddenly dies, George begins to feel old and uncertain of the dull, restrained, responsible way he has lived his life. Though he never married, he has maintained a life-long friendship with Louise, his placid first girlfriend, who is now a widow and grandmother. His melancholy days of walks in London’s parks and afternoons in museums are interrupted when young, brash Katy Gibbs moves into the flat across the hall. At first exasperated by Katy’s rude and greedy nature, George becomes consumed by desire for her and her hedonistic lifestyle. He is temporarily transformed into a passionate man, and although Katy rejects him, he is ultimately able to reach out to Louise for fulfillment. Brookner (Dolly, LJ 11/15/93) has created an absorbing novel with great appeal to anyone who has ever contemplated changing his or her life. Recommended for all fiction collections.