THE PETTY DEMON BY Fyodor Sologub. Random House, 1962. Translated from the Russian with a preface and notes by Andrew Field. REVIEWED BY SHARON ANN (NY-202-S)

In my experience, the cross- dressing theme can turn up at the oddest moments in the least expected novels. Still, how sur- prising to find our favorite subject lurking in the last chapters of an obscure Russian novel. And, how much more surprising that I would pick up this volume from among the hundreds available in a second hand book shop. No, it did not fall open to the "good parts." Rather, it had the looks of a new book, retaining its paper cover, cracking when I opened it. Perhaps it was an unwanted Christmas present. later traded to the store for some easier piece of reading. Surely no cross- dresser would have given it up for it contains a significant cross- dressing subplot, a first-rate trans- vestite episode and some interest- ing narrative.

The preface tells us all we need to know about Sologub. The PETTY DEMON was his fist successful novel and is regar- ded now as a classic in Russian literature. Written over a ten year period, it first appeared in a Russian magazine in 1906. Alas, the magazine folded before the last chapters could be published. It then appeared in book form in 1907. However, the story and its author seem to have been ignored by the western world until after the 1960's.

The main plot concerns a school teacher named Peredenov and his steady progression from eccentricity to complete madness. Peredenov is possessed by the Petty Demon and regularly ex- periences haliucinations, is terribly

BOOK REVIEW

paranoid, and becomes the em- bodiment of the vile, hypocri- tical, mean and slimy old man. Enter our hero (ine), a young lad named Sasha, perhaps 12 or 13 years old, a pupil of Pere- denov's and somewhat feminine in nature. His girlish appearance causes talk in the village that he really is a girl disguised as a schoolboy. As he is boarding in the village and has no family nearby, no one comes to Sasha's defense immediately. Rumors fly in the small village and more than one imagination is excited.

Peredenov regards the youth with paranoid caution (another devil sent to torment him). Peredenov informs the headmaster that a girl, masquerading as a boy, has enrolled in the school. Sasha is called to the headmaster's quarters, asked to disrobe for a medical examination and inspec- ted to verify his sex. The headmas- ter is satisfied but the rumors persist in the village.

The talk about Sasha even- tually reaches the Rutilov family who are upper middle class mer- chants and overloaded with a gaggle of eligible daughters. Lud- mila Rutilov, the youngest dau- ghter (about 17 or 18 years old), is intrigued by the story that Sasha is really a girl in disguise. We gain an insight into Ludmila's

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character in this description of her dressing habits:

"She loved to dress up and dressed more revealingly than her sisters. Her ams and legs were more exposed, her skirt was shorter, her shoes were daintier and her stockings were sheerer and flesh colored.....her skirts and petticoats were also quite fancy.

Ludmila contrives to meet Sasha socially and they strike up a friendship.

"And who is your favorite poet? asked Ludmila, sternly. Nadson, of course, answered Sasha.....Mmmmm! said Ludmila, approvingly. I also like Nadson, but only in the and in the evening, my little one, I like to dress myself up. And what do you like to do? Sasha looked at her with his cheerful black eyes, and they suddenly became moist as he said, I like to cuddle. Ludmila put her arm around Sasha and said, What a sweetheart." (P.159)

Satisfied that he is really a boy after all, Ludmila pursues the friendship aggressively. She schemes to meet him alone while all the others are at church. She playfully sprays him with her perfume. They dally and talk and he kisses her hand. Soon, Sasha returns her visit and the two are alone in Ludmila's bed- room. She complains that he