East is East

THE LIVING BUDDHA--Paul Morand--Henry Holt ($2.50). Spengler and Keyserling have turned toward the Orient for destruction and salvation of the Occident. Far less seriously, Paul Morand, scintillating French diplomat-novelist, shows the East has much to offer the West, and the West something to the East, but that incompatibility of mind and heart will prevent any contact close enough for destruction or salvation.

The Story. Jali is heir apparent to the kingdom of Karastra. Thirsting for Occidental wisdom, he escapes Asia, arrives impoverished in London, where he shrinks from bustle, rain, cupidity. He sells some jewels, and moves to Claridge's.* Naked heiresses disgust him, aristocratic drawing rooms open to actors and prizefighters amaze. At Cambridge he devours the knowledge which a cultured French friend sorts out for him. When his French friend dies, Jali mourns him deeply, but ruminates upon the curious Western distaste for death. The East, having learned the desirability of death, celebrates its advent with garish ceremony. In the course of much contemplation, Jali suddenly notices his circumstantial similarity to Buddha, believes himself the new Buddha, visions "saving" the West. He shaves his head, exchanges "garments by Poole" for a beggar's garb, and tosses his riches away. London, but for a few dishevelled lady-mystics, is unimpressed. So Jali takes himself to Paris and there, under a willow tree in the Bois de Boulogne, invites the peace of Nirvana.

Paris Bohemians, needing diversion, become his disciples. So also Rosemary Kent, daughter of a steel magnate, Great Dragon of the Indiana K. K. K. As brother and sister they live in Marly woods, barefoot, till Rosemary catches cold, and returns to patent-leather slippers in America.

But she leaves behind her a most unphilosophical Buddha, as is seen when Jali forsakes his willow tree and, in hot pursuit, takes passage to the U. S. Lunch with Rosemary at Sherry's ends in catastrophe when the people at the next table object to "the colored man." Jali in anguish escapes to San Francisco Chinatown, where an ancient watchmaker mumbles his philosophy of resignation and indifference. Comforted by the old Chinaman, disgusted with the Occident, Jali returns to the pomp and ceremony of coronation in Karastra.

Technically, "the living Buddha" means the priest (or rather, the candidate for Nirvana) who is by way of being pope in Tibet of present day Buddhism. A new Buddha is, however, predicted for each cycle, and it is such, evidently, that Jali for a time thought himself. His exotic career at Cambridge is delightfully Zuleika Dobsonesque, and artificial as his rustic life in the Bois.

The Author. France, patron of the arts, frequently offers her young authors the travel and leisure of the diplomatic service (Paul Claudel, Jean Giraudoux). Author Morand has been attached to the embassies of London, Rome, Madrid, and finally Bangkok. To and from this last post he traveled by way of America, Japan, India, collecting data for his latest book. Born in Russia, of French parents (1888), he was educated at Oxford, studied law and political science in Paris, is a prolific writer, notably of post-War character sketches. Sleek of face and hair, he looks still younger than he is.

* In the season (June), parlor, bedroom and bath can cost $100 per day.