A Table of Green Fields

Connoisseurs of art, history, religion, and literature will revel in
this fine collection of ten stories by one of America's most erudite
writers. Although the tone is often playful, Davenport layers each story
with a variety of allusions and rather obscure meanings that perhaps
only the most scholarly readers will fully appreciate. A wonderful
example is "Meleager," in which the sexual play of two boys is
juxtaposed with descriptions of geometry. Another is "And," a snippet
(nine paragraphs) of a parable in which Jesus scatters seeds on a river.
More satisfying are the longer tales, especially "O Gadjo Niglo," a
touching love story told by Eros, and "Gunner and Nikolai," with its
surprise ending. Male sexuality is the predominant theme, one the author
presents with light but clearly serious intent. The title--a story in
itself--is taken from Falstaff's dying vision, inspired by the 23rd
Psalm. It makes a most fitting symbol for this most unusual and