The Road to Darkness contains two novels by the Prague German writer Paul Leppin (1878-1945), who was known as the "Spokesman of Young Prague" and also as the "Troubadour of Prague". What holds the reader is Leppin's skill at evoking a gloomy, stifling atmosphere of decadence and decay. Daniel Jesus describes the conflict of sensuality and spirit, as well as of eroticism and pure love.<P>The Prague "ghost story" Severin portrays the life of a petty official who, driven by erotic fantasies, wanders restlessly through the streets during the night, searching for an experience sufficiently intense to give meaning to his life. Severin takes, then discards the women who are attracted to him, until he in turn is caught in the web of his female counterpart, who destroys him.