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Murray, Paul. An Evening of Long Goodbyes.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
MURRAY, PAUL. An Evening of Long Goodbyes. Random. 2004. 421p. ISBN 1-4000-6116-4. $24.95. F
Since the death of his father and the institutionalization of his alcoholic mother, 24-year old Charles Hythloday has devoted his life to reviving "the contemplative life of the country gentleman" on his family's crumbling seaside estate near Dublin. Much to his sister Bel's disgust, he spends his days primarily drinking vodka gimlets, building a Folly in the backyard, and generally avoiding the outside world. Citing the Renaissance concept of sprezatura, Charles justifies his inaction: "If one were to laze, then one must laze beautifully. This ... was …
