SOURCE: "Marguerite Duras Makes No Sense, Compellingly," in Chicago Tribune, May 27, 1992, p. 3.

In the following review, Grossman states that despite its unusual and sparse style, somber mood, and difficult subject matter, Summer Rain is a compelling novel.

It would be foolish to argue with Marguerite Duras that her novels don't make sense.

The grande dame of contemporary French letters would take the reproach as a compliment. For half a century, Duras has fascinated her fans with books in which she set aside most of the novel's conventional devices: plot, characterization, description and action.

Summer Rain, the most recent of her works to be translated into English, doesn't just leave readers scratching their heads. The characters don't seem to know what's up either.

"You're as beautiful as Hanka Lissovskaya," one character tells his daughter.

"Who's she?" the daughter asks.

"Your mother."

Because of that disdain for logic, Duras has...