THE IVY TRAP

by Angus Douglas ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 11, 1959

Few people read Douglas Angus' gentle memoir of a boyhood- The Lions Fed The Tigers (Houghton, Mifflin-1958) with which this bears no comparisons- only contrasts- particularly in its forthright account of a love affair, and the ruin to which the indulgence and indiscretion of a middle-aged man can lead. Allan Hazard, 47, an associate professor in a large school, has until now a fine record to which a well-reviewed book has contributed, and a more than reasonably happy marriage with Margaret, as well as two children. His attraction to one of his students, Laurel, a lovely if highly neurotic girl is not to be resisted and becomes increasingly intense. They are seen by the Dean's wife and by some students; news travels quickly- to Margaret- who can forgive him the lapse but not the transfer of a ring- hers- to Laurel. And while he finally is given the full professorship coveted by the entire department, it is only a week before his resignation is demanded- and Laurel's ruin is complete as well as his own.... Angus writes knowingly of intermarital, interpersonal relationships, cleverly and cuttingly of faculty functions and proceedings (there is a wonderful poetry reading), and sympathetically of the characters concerned. His failure may however be a kind of success with a certain audience- passion particularized rather than suggested.

Pub Date: Oct. 11, 1959

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Bobbs-Merrill

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1959

Categories: FICTION