THE LATECOMERS

by E. M. Nathanson ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 13, 1970

A passable intrigue novel focused on psychological delusion which traces the spiritual journey of earnest but unoriginal Adam Straight, a successful TV actor. After entertaining in Vietnam he develops some sort of weltschmerz and Christ-obsession which takes him on a pilgrimage through Europe and the Holy Lands and he returns to Hollywood to find a part playing Christ in a super-Passion Play at the Valley of His Passion Park, an exploitative operation run by some swindlers. He writes a third journal and in a paroxysm of ecstasy hires a group of toughs to actually crucify him in the Calvary. The effect of his crucifixion on a childlike zealot named Nicholas Concert, plus the researches of a reporter, result in the destruction of the Park and probable exposure of the pious hustlers, While weak on developments and loaded with cliches, the story is efficiently told so that the fuss over manufactured martyrdom almost seems to have some significance. It may well, around Hollywood, which also converted Nathanson's Dirty Dozen into a showy film.

Pub Date: Nov. 13, 1970

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1970

Categories: FICTION