LOG OF THE S.S. THE MRS. UNGUENTINE

by Stanley G. Crawford ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 1972

Here we go on another magical mystery tour in Crawford's own mellow submarine, which here is a luxuriant barge of garbage on which a veritable Eden has burgeoned over the years of the Unguentine union. Husband Unguentine deals in wondrous inventions, while Mrs. U. spins small sails, helps construct and clean the shimmering dome of glass. Giant trees (all with names) tower and flower; fruits and birds, vegetables and tiny creatures blossom and multiply; goats gambol and hens lay on and on. There is a brief interval where Mrs. U. persuades Mr. U. to give her the child who swims away at the age of five. The U's usually correspond by notes, the seasons are regulated and arranged and except for some early years of shoreside orgies, contraband running and banquets, the barge has never been near land. Years pass and then abruptly Unguentine chops down all those trees with names, constructs mechanical trees from their bodies, and alas, ruin and the disappearance of Unguentine are to follow. . . . A multiple-purpose allegory (of a marriage; of civilization's suicidal downdrift; of the voyage of the anima) with amusing concepts and happenings to help it levitate.

Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1972

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Knopf

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1972

Categories: FICTION