Up Above The World

On the terrace of an elaborate hilltop apartment overlooking a Central Americancapital four people sit making polite conversation. The American couple anelderl... » 

On the terrace of an elaborate hilltop apartment overlooking a Central Americancapital four people sit making polite conversation. The American couple anelderly physician and his young wife are tourists. Their host whom theyhave just met is a young man of striking good looks and charm. The girl hismistress is very young and very beautiful. Sitting there watching the sunsetthe Slades seem to be enjoying the sort of fortunate chance encounter thattravelers cherish. But amid the civilities and small talk the hosts casualremark to the American woman proves prophetic Its not exactly what youthink. Masterfully with the poetic control that has always characterizedhis work Paul Bowles leads the reader beneath the surface of hospitality andluxury into a tortuous maze of human relationships and shifting moods untilwhat seems at first a merely casual encounter is seen to be one rooted inviciousness and horror. «