THE CENTER OF THE WORLD

by Richard I. Tobin ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 9, 1951

A first novel, with more than usual finesse, this is a Michigan doctor's story. The setting is a small town--the time, the '20's. David Fawcett finds that doctoring draws him into successive strata of Clearwater's society--from the banker on the hill who beat his bear-frightened setter, to the Czech immigrant family in the river valley whose teen-age daughter stirred every man who saw her--David included. Among others whose lives continually cross his are the two ancient ladies who supply David with a link to the town's pioneering past, the medical charlatan, a good doctor who guzzles, and old mill hand and his first fumbling attempts at unionization. The picture painted is genuine nostalgia without rancor-David can pardon and pity even the pinch-penny banker and his weakling son: there is action and excitement in a run on the bank and a strange subsequent trial of identity. There is, though, an earthiness in some of the descriptions-the birth of David's son, the effervescing adolescence of the Czech girl--that may take the edge off library sales. Paced to the tempo of the times, this is a strong and tender story.

Pub Date: April 9, 1951

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dutton

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1951

Categories: FICTION