THE HISTORY OF ROME HANKS

by Joseph Stanley Pennell ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 17, 1944

First -- this is definitely a man's book; few women will like it. Second -- nobody could read it without feeling its enormous vitality; whether liking it or not, that is indisputable. Maybe the book will be a sensation. Certainly, it will be discussed. Some will say here is another Thomas Wolfe -- though it is wholly the author's own, original, nothing imitative, either in matter or manner. It is distorted -- disorganized -- it lacks unity -- it is crude (deliberately so) and rough. But Pennell has succeeded in translating into modern idiom and emotional value the men of the armies of the War between the States. Those men are as alive as the men in Ernie Pyle's columns. One identifies Pennell with Lee Harrington, who is seeking to fill in his spotty knowledge of his own forebears, his great grandfather in particular, Rome Hanks, almost a legendary hero whose laurels were purloined by Clint Belton, but who lived in the memories of the men who served with him in the 117th Iowa regiment. Most of his story is told by old Thomas Wagnal, veteran, surgeon. Then there was a grandfather on the other side -- the Rebel side -- Beckham, a lovable failure, whose story is grooved into Rome Hanks' story by Lee's Great Uncle Pink, in colloquial anecdote of Gettysburg (an unforgettable part of the book). It is a sprawling tale, -- out of drawing, debunking, no moonlight and honeysuckle (though there is a bit of romance). There's plenty to shock the not-so-hardy sensibilities and taste. Without being sordid, it is ""nature in the raw"", lusty, bawdy, lewd --men's talk. P.L.'s -- beware. But don't ignore the book; it shouts to be heard. And the publishers are going out the whole way. Bookshops -- watch it.

Pub Date: July 17, 1944

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Scribner

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1944

Categories: FICTION