A charming oblong octavo book bound in cloth boards, published by David R. Godine in 1975. Same year and same publisher as Theroux’s magisterial essay on literature, “Theroux Metaphrastes,” which I’m thrilled to own in an original copy (it has since been included in some editions of Three Wogs). Following on the heels of those two aforementioned delights, this little “children’s tale” tells of a young girl with an embarrassing physiological misfortune (she is the waif, of course; “cephalic” means “of the head”; and “schino” you’ll understand from context). It is 1554 in Russia and despite a bleak life, young Gremlina’s destiny becomes the etiology of some of Russia’s architecture. If Theroux’s story—really, his words—doesn't win you over, Stan Washburn’s eerie, grotesque illustrations will. There are two other published Theroux “children’s” books: Master Snickup’s Cloak, which is included in Darconville’s Cat, and The Great Wheadle Tragedy. ( )