LIGHT IN THE SKY

Reasonably promising first novel -- fair plotting, good characterization, a flair for words, in a story of post Civil War Cleveland, a story of love and hate, wealth and poverty, labor and management, though this ingredient is given no major share. John Fenno, owner of the iron works, is heading into labor unrest stimulated by the activities of one Mike Brodi, socially conscious young college professor. To Mike's support comes Lettie Fenno, emerging from her shell first to do some research for him, then-inevitably to fall in love with him. Meantime her sister, proud, selfish, ambitious, plays two men against each other, scheming Mark Chapin, whom she thinks will inherit the mill, and nouveau riche Sam Hadley, plotting for control. The story ends in orthodox fashion- but the going is good, the substance fresh.