The Encuentro isn't just another novel. A fairy tale in novel form- told as a farce, presented like a play, and executed like a movie, it is indeed "novel" in every way. It is very much as advertised: "A Risque Fairy Tale For Contemporary Adults"- very mature adults. It is also Kennedy as his innovated best- "pulling out all the stops," and turning the medium on its head to make a gut-busting spoof that turns out not to be such a "spoof" after all. So, while the subject matter is bawdy, the humor outrageous and the wit nonpareil, it is, to be sure, a deeply profound exposition of the nature and meaning of life at the end of the day. It is, as he has stated, "probably (my) best symphony yet," and destined to be an instant classic. Where else will you find a novel's author portraying himself in his own book as a "movie director?" The end is simply jarring, stunning, completely unexpected. The Encuentro is a must read.