NO PROMISES IN THE WIND

by Irene Hunt ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1970

Luck and pluck in the Depression. Baited by his proud, now penniless and desperate father, fifteen-year-old Josh leaves home, and younger brother Joey gets friend Howie's nod to come along. Very soon Josh is glad: Howie is killed jumping a freight and Joey's more than a comfort--his cherubic looks substitute for the older boys' plan to cash in on their piano- and banjo-playing. Begging (mostly Joey) and scrounging in garbage cans (only Josh) keep them afloat until truck driver Lonnie's interest and a providential assist from Pete Harris' cousin land Josh a job playing in Pete's carnival. He's smitten with lady down Emily, a real lady who lets him down gently, and he builds up his confidence and his bankroll before a fire closes the carnival. On their way to fatherly Lonnie, Josh loses most of their money in a show of pride, and loses Joey in a fit of anger--behaving very like the father he won't forgive. Until, he and Joey retrieved and restored to health by Lonnie and niece Janey, they score a big success playing and singing in a posh Omaha restaurant and the call of home (on top of the advice of their friends) conquers all. However raw the notes struck, the refrain is genteel (""Joey and I were nobodies, but we were still able to feel superior to the shallowness of a well-dressed minor hoodlum""), the whole sticky and contrived in comparison to such stingers as The Big Road or Pistol.

Pub Date: March 1, 1970

ISBN: 0425182800

Page Count: -

Publisher: Follett

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1970

Categories: FICTION