A very long story by Brodkey, “State of Grace” that I listened to while on a long run.  Interesting and precocious.  I am sure it is a fine story to teach in undergraduate classes.  Almost the same key as Catcher in the Rye (nobody understands me!) but a completely different style.  I prefer the snappy monologue of Holden.  Once you hit fifty, though, patience for this kind of story declines terribly.  Interesting to wonder why that is, but not terribly compelling, because might lead to platitude rather than insight.  A nice reading, and entertaining discussion follows.