Text Box: The books of Russell H. Greenan

The details “grisly”, the people “lunatic”, the results, “magnetic”.

Viewpoint

Nightmare

 

“Growing to know” Book World, The Washington Post, Washington D.C.

© Dec 12 1970

Sara Blackburn

“Pierglass’s conscience grows as he comes to know and care about most of his co-residents, who are depicted here with a charm and superficiality that are just right for the author’s purposes (‘heavier’ characterization would have faced him with the deeper kind of political and social implications that he’s careful to avoid for the success of this tale). A number of gruesome and unnecessary deaths have taken place by the time Pierglass decides that he wants out, but by then, of course, it’s too late…

...it should be added that, at a time when so many white writers are using the black struggle as a basis for pretentious, ill-conceived, and self-serving fiction, Mr. Greenan’s perspective and taste make him a welcome exception.”

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