THE TOWN IN BLOOM

by Dodie Smith ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 14, 1965

Dodie Smith, that perennial adolescent, is back again with her usual artless story- telling charm. The item near the top of The Times' (London) personal column -""CALLING MOLLBYBLOW, THE MOUSE AND THE GAZELLE: Madam Lily de Luxe reminds you of a long-standing luncheon engagement."" This meant reunion time again to the Mouse who had a faithfully attended every five years for the past forty this ""engagement"" where she and Molly (Mollbyblow) alternately tried to enter into the spirit of reminiscing. When Zelle (Gazelle) mysteriously comes, then runs, the Mouse trails her while vividly recalling that hole summer when she had been a bright-eyed gamin of eighteen with acting ambitions as long as the scenes she studiously memorized and talent as short as her auditions. This was the time when the four friendships were formed and they shared a ""town"" in a theatrical boarding house which set the pattern for their lives. For the Mouse, it was a wayout summer when she worked as a secretary for the Crossway Theatre and literally spent her time tripping about backstage, creating and resolving all kinds of crises including a hilarious acting debut; a first affair with Mr. Crossway; and then Lillian's progress (in acting and also with Mr. Crossway); getting Molly settled; and discovering Zelle's ""secret."" At 18, or at 58, the Mouse is as irrepressibly engaging as ever and so is Miss Smith.

Pub Date: June 14, 1965

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Little, Brown-A.M.P.

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1965

Categories: FICTION