WAKE ME WHEN IT'S OVER.

By AbnerDean '31. New York: Simon and Schuster,1955.96 pp. $2.95.

I confess that in the past I have missed some of Abner Dean's psychological subtleties in his drawings which were somewhat mad, slightly naughty, but never sad. They were amusing in a sophisticated manner, and at times Abner nicked truth with a barb as sharp as a shark's tooth.

In his latest book Abner adds to his madcap drawings - superbly done by the way - some verse described as light. There are a few limericks and some plain verse with an Abnerian twist. Most of the subjects deal with Sex, and especially with poor boobs who become hooked and who do not quite know how to get off the hook gracefully. In fact many of love's young and romantic dilemmas are fastened down for us like dead butterflies pinned to beaver board.

For those who are wont to place their girls on a pedestal, Abner has written the following:

ARCHITECTURAL NOTE

You think a pedestal Suits your style - So I'll hoist you up Awhile

But phone me When you want to be Down to earth again With me.

A pedestal's an awkward place To propagate the human race.

And for those who like limericks:

While kissing a maid in Bohemia She said as her eyelids grew dreamier, "If I wilt in your arms Don't presume it's your charms It's a case of pernicious anemia."