THE BEASTLY BEATITUDES OF BALTHAZAR B.

by J. P. Donleavy ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 19, 1968

Ah, the fine Irish tongue, the splendiferous language, the honeyed sexology. All of which is part and most parcel of the Beatitudes which just can't help but be charming. In fact, Mr. Donleavy has created the anti-anti-hero in Balthazar B who remains cocooned in innocent sensuality. His actions may seem outrageous but he is endearing enough to rate a Saturday Evening Post as well as a Playboy image. Ah but Sebastian Dangerfield is here too, in Balthazar's portly, courtly, magnificently anti-establishment friend Beefy, met early on at one of those perverse little English boys' schools. This then follows our tainted saint from a childhood shunted aside to Nanny, while Mum pursues her own Bird of Paradise bent. Then to school and the loss of Nanny, the friendship with Beefy (soon kicked out because of flagrant cheekiness), then into an almost pre-pubescent affair with a twenty-four year old governness, Bella, which leaves a child and a surprisingly touching break-up. Then to more school adventure, some flagrantly immoral scenes which all seem just terribly mischieveous, a thwarted love affair with a Miss Fitzdare and on into a future which seems predicated by the past. Men may empathize. Women will sympathize. The beatitudes have built in latitudes.

Pub Date: Nov. 19, 1968

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Delacorte

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1968

Categories: FICTION