THE NOVEL, by James Michener, Random House, 446 pages, $23.

I’ve been spending too much time with James Michener these days. It’s an easy thing to do. Read one book, then you’re off to another, and before you know it, you’re hooked.

I have friends who vacation to spots this author writes about as a follow-up to his stories. Imagine it. Planning a trip to Hawaii? Pick up the novel by the same name, read it, then explore the islands — is there a better advertisement for the impact of this man’s work?

“Poland,” “Texas,” `Alaska” — they’re all the same — travelers’ guides to history, intrigue and culture — wonderful voyages for any explorer.

Michener’s latest work, “The Novel,” is a little off the beaten path for him, but it still provides the usual excitement, only this time dealing with a subject near and dear to his heart — writing.

The world of books, according to the world’s most prolific writer, is as complicated and storied as any country or landmass he’s chronicled in the past.

A writer, an editor, a critic and a reader are the central characters in a story of the rigors of the book business.

Set in the beautiful Pennsylvania Dutch countryside and the not-so-pretty hustle and bustle of New York City, “The Novel” explores the publishing world in detail as only Michener can. But it also provides the reader with a fascinating tale of ambition, desire, romance, murder and success — a rare combination of emotional ups and down that will keep fans of this great novelist furiously turning the pages of his latest offering.

Lukas Yoder is the main character of the story, who like Michener, has enjoyed a long and successful literary career as a novelist. Yoder’s books are simple thematically but rich in Pennsylvania Dutch lore and custom, and they sell extremely well — to the tune of millions here and abroad.

Michener, through Yoder, embarks on the story of writing — no easy task according to the author — from the first word an author pens to the difficult process of seeing the treasured end product in print.

As in most of his novels, Michener slowly pieces several separate lives of key figures together to form a plot of immense impact: Yoder — the writer; Yvonne Marnelle — the editor; Karl Streibert — the literary critic; and Jane Garland — the reader.

Yoder, happy with his successful but difficult task of climbing up the literary ladder, is about to write his final novel. Satisfied with a career that has seen him grow personally and professionally, the elder statesman of the American publishing world is suddenly confronted by a critic who defies the aging author’s public stature by calling his work trivial in the history of the printed word.

Yoder, defended staunchly by editor Marnelle, becomes embroiled in the argument of literary significance and relevance, and it is here that Michener launches the significant portion of this book: a treatise on the nature of great writing. Readers of all literary backgrounds will truly enjoy making their own lists of America’s greatest novelists and America’s most overrated writers.

From Hawthorne to Hemingway, Michener explores the act of storytelling, and at this juncture of the book, it becomes evident that Michener is exploring his own work in the literary scheme of things as well.

But, alas, dear reader, the hour wanes. Having finished my journey through the green fields of Dresden, dining on homemade bread and apple butter, I’m off to a warmer clime.

Summer breezes here are fine, but the Caribbean is supposed to be quite nice this time of year.

Care to join me?

Ron Brown is a free-lance writer who resides in Bangor.