PR-273 Peacock Blue Batik

INTRODUCTION

Rex Martin’s moving story of love between men is a sensitive portrayal surrounding a mysterious, beautiful piece of sculpture, stolen from China and traced to the United States. What happens to it and the men who try to possess it, makes “Peacock Blue Batik” interesting, exciting reading.

Damon Sloane loved the statue, but he loved Tim Canfield more; when all was lost, Tim searched until he found his beloved statue—and the man who came to take it away from him.

The situations and events that occur in “Peacock Blue Batik” are not as bizarre as develops in real life. According to the case history files of Dr. Jules Lamont, noted psychoanalyst, we present the following profile:

“Lester W., a handsome thirty-eight year old writer, was haunted for years by a unusual picture he had seen in the window of an art dealer’s shop as a child. The picture, a portrait of a handsome youth in the clothing of the late eighteenth centure era, disappeared under very mysterious circumstances.

“As Lester grew into adulthood, he was tormented by the face of the smiling youth which appeared to him in recurring dreams; but most frequently when he became attached to a woman and seriously considered marrying her. Then, the dreams of the smiling youth filled all of his sleeping moments, until he was forced to severe his relationship.

“Finally, out of desperation, Lester went to Europe trying to disassociate himself with familiar people and places, hoping that a change of scenery, of culture, would rid him of his haunting dreams. He traveled all over Europe until he came to a small fishing village near Sardinia. While sailing one day, a sudden squall tipped over his boat, and only through the efforts of some fisherman nearby was he saved. He was taken to the home of the fleet’s captain, and awoke to see the smiling face of the youth in the picture—in flesh and blood. It was the Captain’s son, and Lester and he became lovers, and are together at this writing.”

The publishers present “Peacock Blue Batik” as an offering to the loved—and unloved. Because of the nature of its theme, it is recommended for the adult, mature reader only.