THE FACE OF THE CLAM

by Luther Whiteman ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 10, 1946

Amoral annals of benevolent bums, in the Tortilla Flat tradition (without the talent of a Steinbeck to sustain it), these episodes provide mildly engaging, rather than actively amusing, reading. Dune squatters of Pismo Beach, California, are the subjects of Whiteman's stories. There's Frenchy, who becomes a convert to the cult of the Lemuri, and builds a temple on the dunes; forbidden flesh food by the chief cultist, Bible-Bo, Frenchy can still not resist clams. There's Dunker, who imports a Swami to the colony. There's one-legged Peg, who is conducting a matrimonial agency correspondence and gets involved-at long range- with one of two ladies. He isn't sure whether she is the lady with money or the one with an impressive chest measurement. When she arrives, she finds Peg a disappointment and marries the game warden instead. These are but a few of the many episodes.

Pub Date: Jan. 10, 1946

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Random House

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1946

Categories: FICTION