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Page 27

To try and review a book by Robert Nathan, especially one of his delicate fantasies, is akin to attemping an explanation of the unexplainable. But try I must for his latest book affected me to no end. If you are a Nathan fan you will understand what I mean, and if you aren't a Nathan fan you should be. My first taste of a Nathan novella (most of his books are short) was "Portrait of Jennie", a story that I've lauded in fanzines before, and what's more I shall continue to praise wonderful story until every fan I know or come into contact with has read it.
"But Gently Day", Nathan's newest book, while not quite as pleasing as "Jennie", is nevertheless a story of great merit. It was to me at least. If you like your fantasy yo seem earthly and real, and a part of everyday life, "But Gently Day" is your dish, including whipped cream. Nathan's fantasies are written as if they start out to be perfectly ordinary and true to life and the fantasy just crept in because it had too. Much different from a fantasy writer with fantasy intent. I hope you got that.
"But Gently Day" begins with an airplane crash. For some unexplained (than Ghu) reason a young coporal and a chaplain, who were on the plane, are thrown backwards in time. Corperal Arkbensor[?] enters his home only to find it subtley changed. He is unaware of the fact that this is home as it was years ago, before he was born. His ancestors welcome him to their home, believing him to be a distant cousin or unknown relative. He falls in love with a beautiful young girl, who is to be his grandmother, and becomes involved in a triangle, the third member of which is to be his grandfather. To reveal the denoment would be to spoil a wonderful story. By all means rend it, it's a strange, hauntingly beautiful narrative.
In a professional review of "But Gently Day" the reviewer mentioned that Robert Nathan's writings were affected by J.W Dunne's time theories. I'd never thought of this before but realize how true it is. Both "Day" and "Jennie" have that peculiar "time sense" in them. Other authors who have used the Dunne time theories are John Balderstone in his play "Berkely Square" and J.B Priestley in his novel "Time and the Conways". The reviewer also stated that J.W. Dunne designed and built England's first military airplane in 1906-1907.
Robert Nathan has written other fantasies, which I haven't read but I can assure you I am going to as soon as I get ahold of them.
"The Bishop's Wife" is the story of a woman who found out that sex is beautiful and something to be cherished instead of debasing and ugly. How does she find out? From an angel who comes to live with her and her husband, mostly her husband.
"Road of Ages", a story of the final return of the Jews to their native land. Told in an ethereal sort of way.
"Enchanted Voyage" - the story of a wife plagued little man who builds himself a boat in his back yard. He seeks solace and rest in his best when family life bores him. He sits in his boat and dreams of traveling to strange places. One night when he is so engrossed, the boat sails, but on air! 
Whenever you run across a Nathan book and you have some extra change, buy it. Even his non-fantasies are worth reading. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the way this author puts words together.

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To try and review a book by Robert Nathan, especially one of his delicate fantasies, is akin to attemping an explanation of the unexplainable. But try I must for his latest book affected me to no end. If you are a Nathan fan you will understand what I mean, and if you aren't a Nathan fan you should be. My first taste of a Nathan novella (most of his books are short) was "Portrait of Jennie", a story that I've lauded in fanzines before, and what's more I shall continue to praise wonderful story until every fan I know or come into contact with has read it. "But Gently Day", Nathan's newest book, while not quite as pleasing as "Jennie", is nevertheless a story of great merit. It was to me at least. If you like your fantasy yo seem earthly and real, and a part of everyday life, "But Gently Day" is your dish, including whipped cream. Nathan's fantasies are written as if they start out to be perfectly ordinary and true to life and the fantasy just crept in because it had too. Much different from a fantasy writer with fantasy intent. I hope you got that. "But Gently Day" begins with an airplane crash. For some unexplained (than Ghu) reason a young coporal and a chaplain, who were on the plane, are thrown backwards in time. Corperal Arkbensor[?] enters his home only to find it subtley changed. He is unaware of the fact that this is home as it was years ago, before he was born. His ancestors welcome him to their home, believing him to be a distant cousin or unknown relative. He falls in love with a beautiful young girl, who is to be his grandmother, and becomes involved in a triangle, the third member of which is to be his grandfather. To reveal the denoment would be to spoil a wonderful story. By all means rend it, it's a strange, hauntingly beautiful narrative. In a professional review of "But Gently Day" the reviewer mentioned that Robert Nathan's writings were affected by J.W Dunne's time theories. I'd never thought of this before but realize how true it is. Both "Day" and "Jennie" have that peculiar "time sense" in them. Other authors who have used the Dunne time theories are John Balderstone in his play "Berkely Square" and J.B Priestley in his novel "Time and the Conways". The reviewer also stated that J.W. Dunne designed and built England's first military airplane in 1906-1907. Robert Nathan has written other fantasies, which I haven't read but I can assure you I am going to as soon as I get ahold of them. "The Bishop's Wife" is the story of a woman who found out that sex is beautiful and something to be cherished instead of debasing and ugly. How does she find out? From an angel who comes to live with her and her husband, mostly her husband. "Road of Ages", a story of the final return of the Jews to their native land. Told in an ethereal sort of way. "Enchanted Voyage" - the story of a wife plagued little man who builds himself a boat in his back yard. He seeks solace and rest in his best when family life bores him. He sits in his boat and dreams of traveling to strange places. One night when he is so engrossed, the boat sails, but on air! Whenever you run across a Nathan book and you have some extra change, buy it. Even his non-fantasies are worth reading. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the way this author puts words together.