THE BIG NICKELODEON

by Maritta Wolff ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 29, 1956

Southern California, in and around L.A., is the scene this time, but it's the same climate of despair of earlier novels for the frayed lives which frequent the driveins, motels and beach houses in this part of the world. Among these are Jere Tidings, a former film writer, no longer equal to the attraction he still holds for the many women who have been in his life; Dickie , a homosexual, and an easy mark for the vagrant Stush, a bum, and a ""reversible, three-speed model"" who moves in on him and then leaves him for Caro; Caro, running away from her older sister Helen and passing through all kinds of phases, from sleeping with everyone to sleeping with no one; and primarily Maggie Harrison, in the divorce doldrums, until she meets Jere and falls in love with him- only to find that he is past reclamation.... On all of these- and other, uncontrolled lives, Maritta Wolff keeps a controlled hand and a compassionate eye; she also manages a considerable compulsive vitality, unhappy (or unpleasant) as much of it is.

Pub Date: Oct. 29, 1956

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Random House

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1956

Categories: FICTION