N Y Evening Post p11 N 6 ’20 120w
BAZIN, RENÉ FRANÇOIS NICOLAS MARIE. Pierre and Joseph. *$1.75 Harper
20–7722
The story takes us to an Alsatian village at the outbreak of the war where the German subjects have all remained French at heart. Of the two brothers, Pierre and Joseph Ehrsam, the elder at once decides to flee the country and go to France to enlist, while the younger deems it wise to sacrifice himself in another way, to save the factory and the Ehrsam estate from confiscation by the Germans, by joining his German regiment. Pierre, in the French army makes unfavorable comparisons between French ways and German efficiency and is but slowly won over to complete enthusiasm for the spirit of France. Joseph at the eastern front develops an increasing hatred for the German spirit and when he is sent to the west and faces the necessity of fighting the French, he kills his superior officer and deserts to the French side. The translation is by Frank Hunter Potter.
Booklist 17:30 O ’20
“This latest novel of the gifted Frenchman adds not a single leaf to his laurel crown. For the most part, the interpretation is labored, and much space is devoted to moralizing upon the obvious. The general effect of the novel is accentuated by a translation which is awkward and infelicitous.”
− Cath World 111:688 Ag ’20 300w
“Interesting in itself, the story has an added interest through what it tells us of some of the events of the war, events which though important have not been much written about.”