THE OUTWARD ROOM

by M. Urand ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

This was originally reported in November 15th -- double postponement has advanced the date to April 30th, and with the Maxwell book, it is Book-of-the-Month for May.... It is an oddly moving and compelling tale, not for its plot, which scarcely stands the searching critical eye, but for its extraordinary revelation of the mental processes of a woman just emerging from the state of a manic depressive, trembling on the brink of return to sanity. It is psychiatry fictionized -- or fiction realized. This girl has been emotionally blocked by the death of her brother, and feels that she too has died. Treated by Freudian precepts -- thrust back upon herself by her doctor -- she escapes from the hospital, goes to New York, meets and lives with a fine and simple man, and refuses to marry him until his need is greater than hers and releases her from the feeling that she may not be cured. Suspense is marvelously sustained through identification with her suspense. One cannot lay the book down -- it must be read at a sitting -- finished, one may feel that character and plot have been sacrificed to thesis, but that the sacrifice was worth while. There is a tender appeal in the romance -- but the focus is definitely on the mental state. Very modern handling of stream of consciousness method -- analysis of an abnormal mind, facing its own abnormality on the verge of sanity..... Simon & Schuster is building up extraordinary live reader interest by a brilliant advertising and publicity campaign. The book is certain to be a sensation -- whether of permanent value or not depends on how intelligently it is sold. There are innumerable people interested in it legitimately -- see to it that you sell it to them, and not to curiosity and sensation seekers, who may be disappointed in what they get. The book is too fine a contribution to be simply a stunt success.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1937

Categories: FICTION