PLEASURE PIECE

The story of a girl who has been raised by a fugitive father in a cave and who has no opportunity to try life at first hand until his death when she is 17. Unable to tell her story to strangers, fearing their scorn and suspicion, this untried girl yet reveals unbending inner pride and innocent wisdom without being a prig or a lay figure. Set in the Southern mountains and valleys, the story is authentic in background and rich in the feel of the land -- but the story itself, though moving and disturbing, somehow lacks that final touch of authority. A first novel, however, of distinct promise.