| + − | Outlook. 87: 623. N. 23, ’07. 220w. |
“The book indeed is over-loaded with the sociology of two countries, and we hear far too much about the power of the everlasting dollar.”
| − | Sat. R. 104: 642. N. 23, ’07. 190w. |
Burnham, Clara Louise. [Opened shutters.] †$1.50. Houghton.
Mrs. Burnham has chosen her favorite summer haunts, the islands of Casco Bay, for the setting of this story. Silvia Lacey, orphaned and bitter against her relatives, finally accepts the hospitality of her mother’s cousin “Thinkright” Johnson, so called because of his faith in a happy solution of all life’s problems if only one’s thoughts are right and harmonious. Under the influence of Thinkright’s fine example of brotherhood love, Silvia scripturally finds herself, thru losing her rebellious vanity and self-love. An old disused tide-mill with its closed shutters is symbolic of Silvia’s discordant outlook on life, but with her transformation even the shutters open and let the sunlight in.
“It can no more be called a novel than a plate of bread and butter can be called a meal—even though the bread and butter be good of its kind.”
| − + | Acad. 72: 168. F. 16, ’07. 120w. | |
| + | A. L. A. Bkl. 2: 245. D. ’06. |
“The heroine of the novel, Sylvia, is one of Mrs. Burnham’s best-drawn figures. There are some amusing situations in the book, and the humor is plentiful and genuine.”
| + | Lit. D. 33: 813. D. 1, ’06. 240w. |