Glover

by Francis Pollini

This was a book that almost every sailor was reading when I was in the Navy in 1967. I think it was because of the cover and some of the explicit (for the times) descriptions of sex. It is actually a very serious novel, however. I also thought it was a very important one.The central figure is an American Air Force enlisted man stationed in the U.K. who had been a star football player before having to enter service. He is very much a brute with women and likes his sex as impersonal as possible.Much of the story is driven by his interaction with an officer who has a homosexual interest in him and aspires to stimulate Glover to intellectual heights. The book is heavy with satire, much of it directed at the New Yorker, Salinger, and would-be intellectuals.Years after reading it, I had a chance to mention it to a friend who was an English Professor. He was estatic and heaped effusive praise on the book. I expected to hear more about it. But the timing was poor for a book as honest written by a white male.

300 pages

First published January 1, 1966

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm afraid that my "plot synopsis" has preempted my review.

I should also have noted that the book is also an indictment of the culture of jock worship.

[Ian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read it for obvious reasons.
Glover is massively unlikeable, so not far off the mark. Not sure I understood its point?

[Chris Gager · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, I did read this for the sex and it took me many years to figure out the serious point of the book. I would say that it was a satire. About our culture's focus on sex and beauty and our willingness to "overlook" some serious downsides. I think that Joe's officer pal was a stand in for the author who I'm guessing is homosexual but who knows? The officer certainly was. There's probably more to it than that but I read this a long time ago. It certainly doesn't present a very flattering picture of women. Date read is a guess.