There have been ups and downs in the chart of this author's sales, but this novel promises well, and should rank with his best sellers. I should class it with The Redlakes and The House Under the Water, my favorites among a long list of his novels many of which I have thoroughly enjoyed. The theme is the changing order in post-war England, but at no point does one feel that he is writing an expanded pamphlet on a sociological theme. A vigorous and lifelike picture of the English countryside, brought into focus through the duel between Miles Ombersley, the squire, recently come into ownership of the place which has held his heart and hopes since childhood, and Hackett, with money to buy his ideals, but no traditions nor taste in carrying them out. The village life around them, interludes and undertones and overtones, tragedy and comedy and romance and petty strife -- all told with a note of authenticity which brings it to life. A fine book and one that should repeat in this country its initial success in England.