PROGRESS, U.S.A.

by Guy Daniels ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 7, 1968

In this book about the career of one Timothy Abbott from Iowa, the author is off to a Hacoid start, which bodes ill for the other two projected efforts in a trilogy. All the predictable cornland smalltown capers are routinely baled and stacked; adolescent boys competing in newly awakened sexuality; church divisions; town swindles and flights; intergang battles. Nothing terribly wrong with the subjects, but since Penrod what a falling off has there been! Situation characters glide through their paces and you could take them just about anywhere in TV summer reruns. For example, any author constrained to refer to a popular radio personality of the Thirties as ""Major Blow"" ain't headed nowhere in particular. The action--or rather exercise--takes place in the Thirties and concludes with the Tall Corn Trio of which Tim is a member, being edged out on the Blows Hour by a gyrating trio of hometown girls. Dullsville, Iowa.

Pub Date: Oct. 7, 1968

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Macmillan

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1968

Categories: FICTION