In mythology, Paris was asked to choose between Hera, Aphrodite and Athena as to who was the fairest. In this novel, Philip Warren is a desultory Paris looking to find truth or truths in a world that no longer holds to ancient Greek wisdom. He encounters three women who each offer him a seductive temptation to motivate him into some positive ambition for his life.
He is offered the path to power by one, and the path to knowledge by a second woman but it is the third who presents Philip with the chance of a life of love. It's Philip's choice to follow love, first of all of one's own life, and by doing so, to become capable of loving the other.
This year long quest takes our hero from Rome to Amalfi, Cairo and Paris, a period during which he remains aloof and cynical despite the enticements of decrepit old queens, crazed fanatics and the deluded.
Sadly dated and showing its age.

A novel not very memorable, about the element of choice in emotional experience. There is a certain amount of imagery from the Iliad, but the book made no great impression. It is set in contemporary society. ( )

Interesting early Vidal written prior to his becoming as bitter as he is now. Lots of colorful characters and lessons in life. ( )

This sounded fascinating: a privileged young American taking a year out in '50's Europe. And written by Gore Vidal, who was always worth watching on T.V. for his intelligence, acerbic wit and knowledge. But, gosh, was this a dull slog.

The protagonist doesn't seem to think, reflect or feel very much, just observes the mostly bizarre people he comes across. He didn't care, so I couldn't.

Gore can obviously write, and liked to show off his knowledge of ancient classics. I just assume this was a very early work and that his later books were more entertaining and revealing, but this one has put me off bothering to find out. ( )

Up until the last 75 pages of this book I was enraptured. But the end left me bored. It felt very random to me and thrown together. All in all still an interesting read and exceedingly bold material for a book published in the early 1950s. Vidal's prose really is a joy to read and it makes me sad that we lost him last year. ( )