ABSTRACT
Although Wouk's fourth novel was not published until 1955, ideas for such a work were germinating as early as 1940, then again in 1947, and finally in 1950–52 when he began its composition. In July 1940 he wrote a playlet titled “Crisis over Marjorie,” which had two performances as a benefit for the United Jewish Appeal. In a handwritten note found among his papers and dated 11 June 1952, Wouk described the playlet as one which “marked my first effort in adult years to write seriously after six postcollege years as a gagman. As such it was crucial. Crude and flat though it is, it surely contained a vital spark to haunt me for twelve years and force itself up again as a novel—though how good a novel I can't yet say.” This 20-page one-acter, Wouk wrote in this note, was one of “several milestones in my writing career.” 1
