SOURCE: "Hecate Revisited," in The New Republic, Vol. 127, No. 21, November 24, 1952, pp. 19-20.

In the following excerpt from a review in which he also examines The Illusionist by Françoise Mallet, FitzGerald discusses realism in The Loved and the Unloved.

Dorthe, an ugly little community petrifying in the sun somewhere near Bordeaux, is the scene [of The Loved and the Unloved] in which several supernaturally ugly, and two handsome, people reach crucial points simultaneously, split apart and re-combine to the fulfillment of some need in each, whether of love or hatred. Only one is unshackled in the process and able to leave Dorthe freed of idolatry and self-delusion.

Mme. Agathe, the repulsive daughter of an impoverished aristocrat, is governess to Marie, lovely young daughter of M. and Mme. Dubernet, who are personages in the town but are nevertheless somewhat awed by their highborn employee. M. Dubernet is a gluttonous...