THE MOUNTAIN AND THE VALLEY

by Ernest Buckler ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 27, 1952

A first novel of considerable interest and promise, and an equal emotional immaturity, which deals with the fortunes of a farming family in the remote reaches of Nova Scotia. They are rugged, hard-working folk whose boys become men (and predatory ones at that) at an early age, and farm the land much as their forefathers had done for generations. At its best, it can be compared to the sagas of sweat and soil of Knut Hamsun, but the hero, David Canaan, is a gentle frustrate, whose artistic leanings set him apart from the burly hardihood of his friends. David, his twin sister Anna, and his older brother Chris live together with their parents- and their grandmother who hooks rugs while she reminisces. David, at 9, is in love with Effie, whom he rapes at 14. Effie dies from a cold- and David assumes the guilt of her death although actually it is leukemia, and not exposure, which has caused it. Chris rapes Charlotte and leaves her after a forced marriage when she loses her baby; his father dies- pinned under a falling tree; his mother's heart gives out; Anna marries a city boy; and finally David and granny are left alone- and David meets his death in a snowdrift..... There's some fine portraiture here- against an effective montage, but the eventual emotional impact is nullified by the melodrama of the narrative ... Strong publisher promotion.

Pub Date: Oct. 27, 1952

ISBN: 0771093624

Page Count: -

Publisher: Henry Holt

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1952

Categories: FICTION