Leonard Gardner (1) (1933–)

A beautiful book. Gardner uses the noir aesthetic to great effect, but goes much deeper into the individuality and motivations of each character than the typical book in this genre does.

"It filled him with panic. To such devotion, such sacrifice, he felt rejection would be unbearable, that to quibble at all would be an unthinkable cruelty. Profoundly moved, he kissed the lax waiting mouth with exquisite unhappiness."

3.5
***
edit.
Second read was so much better.

The setting is Stockton California, in the 1960s, as the story follows two amateur boxers, one nearly washed up and the other on the rise. A nice snapshot of a time and place, with clean, neat prose. I was reminded of Steinbeck, as I was reading it. This slim novel quietly packs a punch.