NIGHTMARE ALLEY

by William Lindsay Gresham ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

There are definite parallels between this and The Great Balsamo (see P.433 published by Random House next month, as this chronicles the rise of a carnival showman and magician to the questionable heights of spiritualism. There the resemblance ceases, for Stan of this story is unable to go back to show business, fails in every try, and is at last reduced to the degradation of becoming a ""geek"" for a smalltime show. Stan in his climb carries Molly, who hates the growing deceptions, with him; he goes from magic to mind reading to fleecing the marks as head of a Spiritualist Church; via an opportunist psychiatrist he builds up a big play for an industrial tycoon. Molly throws the works; Stan learns of the psychiatrist's double cross, and through drink, despair and murder, hits bottom. Unrelieved, realistic, this is able handling of distasteful characters, emotions and situations and is definitely out for conservatives- for most P.L.'s.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: 1590173481

Page Count: -

Publisher: Rinehart

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1946

Categories: FICTION