TREASURE BAYOU

by Frederic Nelson Litten ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 31, 1949

Under the deceptive guise of an adventure story, published by a denominational publisher, this is a profoundly shocking book,- ugly, snarling, vicious, permeated with race epithets and dog- eat-dog philosophy, with false standards, against a cynical, would-be masculine atmosphere....The story is set in the oil area of Louisiana's bayous. O'Donnell, wealthy corporation lawyer, plots to trick the ignorant Cajuns out of their rights. His idealist son, Craig, ""betrays"" his father by telling them the facts. And Chris Lane, local youth who yearns for riches, fulfills O'Donnell's conception of what Craig should have been. The story dribbles out to an inconclusive end; Chris risks his life in an heroic gesture, learns at last that oil has come through. The author manages to get his philosophy across:- that swindling illiterate trappers is synonymous with national welfare, and ""greatest good to the greatest number""; that ""business is war""; that ""some are chosen leaders -- they profit most and carry the heaviest load. It is survival of the fittest."" Is this the credo we want to instill in youth today, when we've fought a war to defeat it? Let's hope the muddled thinking, the confused pattern of plot will discourage readers.

Pub Date: Oct. 31, 1949

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Westminster

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1949

Categories: FICTION