THE COWARD HEART

by Anna Reiner ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

Not as powerful a book as her first, Five Destinies, but nevertheless a distinguished piece of writing which offers much for both thought and emotion. Paris of 1939, no man's land of the refugee, as background for another story of expatriates, the Communist political exiles and underground travelers. (A distinct detriment to ) The story centers around a wife waiting for her husband to escape Dachau, and the ""pure Crusader"" who is working on the escape. But the imprisonment has done things to Peter, he is furtive, truculent, weak, and the sense of estrangement deepens. Finally, she learns that her suspicions are justified, and -- too late -- that Peter has joined the Gestapo, as a Judas in their midst. A theme that comes too close to possibilities to make pleasant reading -- and not compelling enough to override it.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Knopf

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1941

Categories: FICTION