Books: The Lower Depths

THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM (343 pp.)—Nelson Algren—Doubleday ($3).

The kids around Chicago's tough, slummy Division Street had a game called Let Her Fly. It was easy to learn, and it was a dandy game because it made the winner feel good and the loser feel terrible. All the player had to do was wrap up some garbage, sneak up on his opponent and slam it in his face. But the play had to be fair & square. Just before the pitch the thrower had to yell, "Let her fly!"

There was no use anyone's...