19–15667
In this novel Dr Walton embodies the ideas prevalent in his non-fiction books, “Why worry,” “Those nerves,” and others. Ruth Fulton, chronic fusser, in a fit of pique, jilts her steady serious-minded fiancé and marries the town rake, who thinks most men are against him. Oscar, their son, grows up spoiled, idle, badly educated, boon companion of ruffians and loafers. He has the obsession that everyone is in a conspiracy against him, and secretly cherishes the illusion that one Nicky Bennett is trying to harm him. Accidentally meeting Nicky when in an evil mood he pulls out a revolver and shoots him; pleads insanity to escape the electric chair, but once inside the asylum finds that the law refuses to let him out. The daughter of Ruth and Gerrold is normal and lovable, and happily marries the son of her mother’s old sweetheart, after having by a bit of clever detective work “on her own,” saved the lad from being falsely convicted for the murder of her father.
“The characters are clearly drawn, and are thoroughly lifelike people, whose lives, without anything brilliant or startling, are full of quiet interest, humorous or pathetic.”
+ Ath p258 F 20 ’20 130w
“Amateurish is the only adjective to describe adequately this novel, with its wooden puppets in place of characters and its obviously mechanical situations. The book’s two redeeming features, are the occasional flashes of whimsical humor the author displays, and the disarmingly naïve manner in which he pokes fun at his own inexperience as a novelist.”
− + N Y Times 25:85 F 8 ’20 700w
“The only person of any interest in the book is the daughter, Helen, and the only episode of any interest is Helen’s discovery of the real culprit who had run over and killed her father. This has not much to do with Oscar Montague—paranoiac, who is quite a secondary character in a poor novel.”
− + The Times [London] Lit Sup p126 F 19 ’20 160w
WARD, HARRY FREDERICK. New social order. *$2.50 Macmillan 304