IN THE FORESTS OF THE NIGHT

A first novel of interest for background and the ability to handle the classic tragedy of psychological disinte gration, in the contrasts of the maturity of the ""lost generation"". Kendall, of the Land Management Project, in Minnesota, is on the skids, for his drinking, his rebellion against the martinet Major's authority, and Larson, another World War I veteran is sent to investigate his case. Though Kendall is a crack forester, the combination of drink and rebellion, his wife's scandalous affair, his lack of desire to change, force Larson to seal his dismissal. With no hope for the future, Kendall demands, and gets, Larson's help for his young, sensitive son and, in his own fashion, extracts retribution for his shadow ridden past, and, escaping justice, dies in an epic battle with a blizzard. Adult.