The Beastly Beatitudes of Balthazar B

TheNewYorkTimesBookReviewcalledTheBeastlyBeatitudesofBalthazarB,J.P.Donleavy'shilarious,bittersweettaleofalostyoungman'sexistentialodyssey,"atriumphantpieceofwriting,achievedwiththattotalauthority,totalmasterywhichshowsthatafinewriterisfullyextended...."IntheyearsbeforeandafterWorldWarII,BalthazarBistheworld'slastshy,elegantyoungman.BorntorichesinParisandraisedbyhisgoverness,BalthazarisshippedofftoaBritishboardingschool,wherehemeetsthenoblebutnaughtyBeefy.TheduomatriculatetoTrinityCollege,Dublin,whereBalthazarreadszoologyandBeefypreparesforholyorders,allthewhilesharingamorousadventureshighandlow,untiltheiruniversitycareerscometoanabruptanddecidedlyunholyend.Writtenwithtrademarkbravadoandahealthydoseofsincerity,TheBeastlyBeatitudesofBalthazarBisvintageDonleavy.