A Truce with Time

by Parke Godwin

Pat Landry, a writer of historical romances, falls in love with Lauren Hodge, a prizewinning video artist. Their courtship progresses from Soho loft parties to trendy Manhattan restaurants and clubs, and finally to bed, usually at her apartment. Pat and Lauren, both 50, carry a lot of emotional baggage. Lauren's mother is dying of Alzheimer's disease; her daughter disapproves of her lifestyle. Pat, an alcoholic, is in a quandary about whether to accept a book contract that represents a sellout. Moreover, he is, literally, haunted by the ghosts of his parents and siblings, who actively take over his life.

Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Parke Godwin was an American writer known for his lyrical yet precise prose style and sardonic humor. He was also known for his novels of legendary figures placed in realistic historical settings; his retelling of the Arthur legend (Firelord in 1980, Beloved Exile in 1984, and The Last Rainbow in 1985) is set in the 5th century during the collapse of the Roman empire, and his reinterpretation of Robin Hood (Sherwood, 1991, and Robin and the King, 1993) takes place during the Norman conquest and features kings William the Conqueror and William Rufus as major characters. His other well-known works include Waiting For The Galactic Bus (1988) and its sequel The Snake Oil Wars (1989), humorous critiques of American pop culture and religion.

Parke Godwin also worked as a radio operator, a research technician, a professional actor, an advertising man, a dishwasher and a maitre d' hotel.

Godwin's short fiction has appeared in several anthologies. His short story "Influencing the Hell out of Time and Teresa Golowitz," was the basis of an episode of the television series The Twilight Zone.