The Karma Charmer

Advertising executive Palmer's first novel is an entertaining, romantic tale that's set in today's Woodstock, N.Y., but isn't far in spirit from the Festival itself. Narrator Dick Howser is a '60s holdover, a junk dealer who thinks of himself as a recycler, ``moving things from one person who doesn't need them to another person who does.'' Howser's carefree existence is shaken when he takes in Leslie Zak, 21, a temporary boarder from the local college. The two soon become lovers--but with a catch: Leslie plans to leave Howser and Woodstock for a Wall Street career when she graduates in the spring. Complicating the situation is the unexpected arrival of Howser's 10-year-old son, Howard, unseen for the past seven years. After some initial chaos, Howser and Howard begin to get along, but, as the date of Leslie's departure nears, the two grow increasingly desperate to keep her, concocting various schemes involving brainwashing, ex-psychics, Oriental sex manuals and an ``Ozolator'' device that ``creates good vibrations'' by manipulating a room's ozone level. The author avoids simple characterization, creating in Howser a true contemporary hero, flawed but endearing, trying to make his way in a world that has grown much more complex since 1969. A knack for jaunty humor and a brisk plot also enliven this novel, which bodes well for Palmer's future efforts. (Aug.)