THE JUDAS TREE

There's a new twist here for the hero remains a villain, though a magnetic, persuasive one, over a span of a generation. Twice he finds for himself the perfect woman; twice he convinces both the girl and himself that his intentions are honorable; twice he betrays his vows, and marries for security, financial in one case, sustaining a way of life in another. And- too aptly for the title-the end resolution is ""the Judas tree"". Despite too patterned a plot, Cronin, the story teller, provides a readable tale, where luxurious minutiae and artificial standards are superimposed on an essential kindliness, and good intentions come to fruition in a simple Scottish setting. The story opens in the sybaritic setting of a Swiss mountain villa; there is a flashback to a struggling medical student, a Scot, on the verge of winning his first post-and the bride of his choice, only to sacrifice all on the altar of expediency, for which he paid a bitter price.... Then the second chance- and the second betrayal. Not a pretty tale- but it will sell, particularly with the send-off of the Literary Guild selection.