The unique strength of this novel is Isherwood’s composition of an especially observant narrator who can be intimate, so close, to the central subjects of these character studies, and yet these characters still withdraw from him into the complicated mystery of themselves, their capacity to change, and their capacity to do authentically surprise. As though there are believable and inscrutable depths to these characters that Isherwood the writer knows is there and can trace, but doesn’t comprehend himself.

“I’m so near to this thing which is so far from me.”