UNTIL THE DAY BREAK

Good escape reading this, for -- though the setting is vanquished Paris -- the flavor is essentially a tale of romance and adventure rather than an emotional novel of the war. The scene is Paris, early in the period of occupation, and the plot deals with the first gropings towards organization of underground activities, colored -- as it would be in Bromfield's hands --with suspense, romance, and a zestful plot. Paris is here, the Paris of Montmartre, but one feels the lack of atmosphere-soaked background usually characteristic of Bromfield's novels. One is aware of the blankness of the face Paris turned to the conquering Boches, one senses the growing power of silent opposition, implemented by hate. The story centers around the subversive activities of a tiny group of expatriates, -- a Levantine theatrical producer, using a revue to cloak his real activities; an Italian restauranteur and his wife and sister; a Russian playboy, serious for the first time in his life; an American fan dancer, who doesn't know the inner significance of what she is countenancing until the terror strikes home. Mediocre entertainment; it doesn't rank with Bromfield's better work.