lack of a villain. Fiction that points no moral is flat, meaningless. A novel interprets life; and life, pace Macbeth, does have meaning. A good novelist or dramatist selects the elements, incidents and aspects that disclose the meaning that he discerns in life.

In Strange Marriage the logical villain might be Randy Hale, 24, the all too virile man-about-bedrooms; or it might be Ruth Anders, in her thirties, pushy and calculating and with round heels curiously atypical of teachers. But Colton develops neither of them into the villain that logic dictates.

Luke Rawson, who deserts Dave Noyes to exploit his older money-honey, is not a major villain: he is just a part of the typical California sceneryand incidentally Colton's local color is usually good. Fred Tighe, who hounds

his divorced wife, is villainous enough, too; but his affairs are only incidental

to our story.

We are left with a pillow fight or a case history in which a heroically he homosexual sweeps a knowledgeable she into marriage. They have a few furious contretemps activity rather than action-and then they get reconciled; and we are given to suppose that now he'll straighten up and fly right.

—

If that be the author's notion of a happy ending, it may serve as his neck verse in Mrs. Grundy's court; but I fear it's too false to life and human nature to serve a good novel's purpose.

Prices continue to rise, or the dollar to sink. Here is a book at not quite 24 cents a page. It seems expensive. Manuel boy Frank

28

ONE IN CHICAGO

Is now permanently established. The "Outreach Program" of ONE's Social Service Division has since its February 23, 1963 meeting of the Council of Friends of ONE in Chicago been developing plans for regular ONE activities there. Such meetings are now being regularly held with some extremely interesting work projects already under way. Anyone in the Chicago area who would like to join with the Friends of ONE under the mature and responsible leadership which ONE represents may secure further information by writing: Secretary, Social Service Division, ONE, Incorporated 2256 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif. 90006

ANNOUNCING THE MIDWINTER INSTITUTE SESSIONS The Education Division of ONE, Incorporated

To be held in Los Angeles January 28-30, 1966. Three days of highest quality speakers, panels, round-tables (and some lighter fare) presented by America's oldest and largest homophile organization. Plan to come to California for this outstanding event-get away from winter for a few days. For further details write, ONE, Incorporated, 2256 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif. 90006 Telephone: REpublic 5-5252