+ − N Y Evening Post p10 N 27 ’20 290w
“While Norval Richardson’s well-written novel ‘Pagan fire’ is far from uninteresting as a story, the greater part of its claim on the reader’s attention is derived from its quite fascinating setting.”
+ N Y Times p26 Ja 2 ’21 460w
“The interest of the novel is derived less from the actual story than from the glorious settings of the drama.”
+ Springf’d Republican p5a Ja 23 ’21 170w
RICKARD, L. (MRS VICTOR RICKARD). Cathy Rossiter. *$1.75 (1c) Doran
20–772
Cathy Rossiter, by birth of the English aristocracy, was a modern woman who, without breaking her old ties, became interested in all sorts of progressive movements. Her personal charms make her a favorite in every circle from the aristocratic drawing room down to the half-starved strikers in Sabury road. Her most intimate friend is Dr Monica Henstock, a successful practitioner and her opposite in character and temperament. At her house she meets John Lorrimer who is about to propose to Monica when Cathy’s beauty and personality intrigue and side-track him. In time Cathy marries Lorrimer and through a complication of circumstances Monica’s and Lorrimer’s emotions and ethics both become befuddled and Cathy after an illness is locked up in an insane asylum on a flimsy pretext. Her experiences at the asylum and her rescue by some of her old friends make a thrilling tale.
“Mrs Victor Rickard has here achieved, without directing her energy towards any lofty or even wayward ambition, a marked success. The story is sheer melodrama from beginning to triumphant and happy end; but melodrama tempered with sound observation of character.”