“The novel is indeed admirably written, the author indulging neither in verbal fireworks nor in splashes of black, white or scarlet. One reads it with the feeling that it is the truthful account of a real occurrence, but of an occurrence seen from all sides. ‘The power of a lie,’ in short, stands head and shoulders above the average contemporary novel.”
+ N Y Times 25:291 Je 6 ’20 1050w
Reviewed by H. W. Boynton
Review 3:708 Jl 7 ’20 750w
“The idea is presented with fine suggestiveness and artistic vitality.”
+ Springf’d Republican p11a Jl 25 ’20 280w The Times [London] Lit Sup p613 O 30 ’19 50w
BOJER, JOHAN. Treacherous ground; tr. from the Norwegian by Jessie Muir. *$2 Moffat
20–4783
“Young Erik Evje has two characteristics; he is a man whose former immoral aberrations weigh heavy on his conscience, and a man imbued with high ideals in connection with social reform. By putting into practice his ideals he hopes to atone for his sin. He can find no solace in religion, and he makes of his philanthropic work his crucifix. The little colony that he plants on a hillside is the only tangible evidence of his ideals, and at the same time his atonement. But he is told that his house is built on sand, that a landslide will carry it away. It is too necessary as his last grip on the best part of himself for him to give it up. The landslide occurs and wipes out several families.”—Springf’d Republican