James Gould Cozzens's own brand of I realism is perhaps at its best in his development of characters. His minute examination of important moments in characters' lives leads to his ability to people his novels with an unusual number of well-rounded characters.

Ironically, this novel is a kind of Bildungsroman, a story containing the coming of age of Arthur Winner, Jr., a lawyer in his fifties. Arthur's background has produced in him a dedication to the principle of reason, yet he discovers, one weekend, that a combination of events has been building in him for many years that will force him to reevaluate his unswerving commitment to reason. As a young judge, Fred Dealy, wisely observes "Whatever happens, happens because a lot of other things have happened already.

When it gets to where you come in — well, it's bound to be pretty late in the day." Arthur...