In “The Sportswriter,” the first novel in this series, Frank started out as a sensitive young literary man who had published a book of stories. Though the Bascombe novels are set mostly in New Jersey’s wealthier suburbs, they are, oddly, road novels. Springsteen went from “Darkness on the Edge of Town” to “Letter to You.” Holy moly. Ford went from “Independence Day” and “The Lay of the Land” to “Let Me Be Frank With You” and “Be Mine.” Good Lord. The Bascombe novels are road novels, as well, because they are set during holidays, when families are in flux.

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Persons: ”, Frank, Ford, yank, John Updike, Roth, Nathan Zuckerman, Angstrom, Bruce Springsteen —, Springsteen Organizations: Toyota Locations: New Jersey