FRANCIS

by David Stern ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 21, 1946

With the dull thud of anticlimax in Rhubarb by H. Allen Smith, a wary public will look askance at this yarn of a mule that talks and flies. Actually, Francis has more genuine humor and a pleasant quality of folklore in the making. For Francis, the mule, is a commonsense, if unorthodox, hater of red tape and sham, and a creator of heroes. When a young 2nd Lieutenant is saved by Francis in Burma, and later boasts of the mule's abilities, he starts a long career in psychoneurotic wards; after each ensuing exploit under guidance of his friend Francis, there's another ""pn"" round. With Francis' help, he captures a Jap listening post, a spy, repels an air attach, smashes a Jap tank- and spreads consternation among his superiors. Francis tells off a psychiatrist, goes on a couple of splendid drunks, and when finally accepted by the Commanding General as authentic, turns into a plain-talking hero himself...Mule feathers -- but net without a crackerbarrel kind of fun.

Pub Date: Oct. 21, 1946

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Farrar, Straus

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1946

Categories: FICTION