THE CATHERINE WHEEL

by Jean Stafford ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 10, 1951

A tortured and morbid book, in which two people, who love each other deeply, Andrew, a small boy, and his Cousin Katherine, whose home had always been his refuge, find themselves at cross purposes. The story is told primarily from the boy's viewpoint, as he sees his summer in Maine shattered by the desertion of his charm, Victor, who is anchered at home by the invalidism of his here brother, Charles. Andrew's bitter disappointment expresses itself in complete withdrawal and an obsession amounting to a death wish directed against Charles. Feeling guilty and a little frightened, he interprets Cousin Katherine's concern as knowledge of what he is thinking. Actually, she is in equal terment, sick of an old love, afraid to accept the chance to find him again because the man she loves is the father of Andrew and his twin sisters, husband of her beloved Maeve, a cousin brought up as virtually a sister. She is convinced that discovery of this situation is at the root of Andrew's unhappiness -- that his hate, his death wish, is directed against her -- or perhaps his father. And so the summer is wrecked for the two to whom it had meant so much. And the finale- on an evening of fireworks- when Andrew almost got his wish, and when Katherine, in saving Charles, is herself victim of the flames, brings to tragic conclusion the fears that were devastating them both. A strangely involuted book, overwritten and complex, this is unlikely to enhance the reputation of the author of Boston Adventure.

Pub Date: Jan. 10, 1951

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harcourt, Brace

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1951

Categories: FICTION