Although White remains one of my all-time favorite authors, "Caracole" has always remained the one book of his that I have found to be inaccessible, annoying, and - in a way - a disappointment. After reading it right after it was first published, I decided that it was a mere aberration, that I should forgive White, continue to read him, and forget that he ever wrote that particular book. Recently, however, in his memoir "City Life," White mentioned the real-life individuals upon whom the characters in Caracole were roughly modeled. Immediately, a key was handed to me, and I read the book for a second time seeing it in a completely different light. Although it will never be my favorite White novel, I am grateful for his revelation regarding the inspiration for it. Future generations of readers may find the novel more accessible once they learn of the background and the people who inspired White to write it. ( )