Global Bookstore

* “Sizzling Bestsellers From the Global Bookstore” (World Report, Aug. 10) states that “the longest novel of note ever published was ‘Les Hommes de Bonne Volonte’ by Louis-Henri-Jean Farigoule.” While this is undoubtedly true, it will surely puzzle many of your readers familiar with French literature who do not know that Farigoule’s pen name was Jules Romains. Romains, the father of Unanimism, was a highly esteemed novelist in his day as well as a distinguished poet and playwright, whose philosophical farce “Knock” has become a classic of the French theater.

LEON SCHWARTZ

Professor Emeritus of French

Cal State Los Angeles