Body & Soul

THE BODY'S RAPTURE--Jules Romains --Liveright ($7.50).

If some parts of The Body's Rapture were printed alone, they could be justly characterized as aphrodisiacal if not pornographic. But the book as a whole is a very different and highly superior kettle of fish. Its original French title, Psyche, shows that Author Romains' intention was not fleshly. Though this book is a glorification of the flesh it is also a mystical sublimation of it--a kind of exegetical. philosophical, psychological Song of Songs. For plain readers there is also a plain story. Originally published in France in three parts. The Body's Rapture is issued for limited U. S. consumption in one expensive volume.

Pierre, a purser on a big French liner, had to be much away from home. The first parting was a frightful wrench for both. Lucienne memorized his cabin and the parts of the ship where he would be. By making a careful itinerary she knew at every moment the ship's probable position. Her love preoccupied her so that she found she was able to "be" where Pierre was, to see him walking the deck, sitting in his cabin, finally even to make him "see" that she was there. At this point their dangerous experimenting stopped. They never talked to each other about it, but neither of them ever forgot.

U. S. France

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