The Middle Years Summary

On a soft, bright day in April, author Dencombe is resting on a bench along a path in the seaside health resort of Bournemouth, England. Dencombe is convalescing from an unspecified but serious illness. On his lap he holds a package he has just received. He opens it to find the first copy of his most recent novel, The Middle Years. He has published so many novels that he is no longer excited to receive the new one. He knows that when he opens it, he will see all the flaws that he should have revised before it was published. In addition, Dencombe is very aware that he is past the mid-way point in his life. He has fewer years to live. Worst of all, he feels that he has reached his peak, as a person and a writer...