The Sea by John Banville

Max Morden, recently widowed, returns to the seaside town where he spent summers as a child. The story shifts from present to recent past (his wife's illness) to distant past (his childhood). I also shifted between liking the writing style and thinking it was a bit over done or pompous. I had to keep the dictionary handy at all times. The story was interesting, but slow to develop. I was glad it wasn't any longer. I rate it 2 out of 5.