MANHATTAN SIDE STREET

West 55th Street near Death Avenue, peopled with Jews, Italians, Germans, Americans and an admixture of other races, is the central ""character"" of this story, which somehow gets under the skin in a surprising way. One cares definitely how the tragic little romance of Otto and Pepper -- of Pat and Jake --works out. One is concerned about the old cobbler; interested in the step up the social ladder of the Sheans; hopeful that the interminable chess games of Krakower and Krampfmuhle may somehow continue. Somewhat the appeal of Hagnolia Street -- and better integration than other panoramic novels of New York's street life.