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

imaginative collection. Highly recommended.- Library JournalDanish teenagers cavort and jut and spurt in ... displays of

riggish (and etymological) energy: "I rode the foreskin full stretch

with a swirl of tongue deep on the downstroke. Shallow with a flicker on

the up. I put a thraw into the treadle. For style. A thropple dive

plumb to the bush. A slow ripping passage''). - from Kirkus