ISLAND NOON

Triangle job, with good conception of New England psychology and character, with a warm feeling of the New England coast, and something of the flavor of As the Earth Turns in the handling of aspects of living, on shore and on an island. Highspirited Abby, having given her heart to ""love 'em and leave 'em"" Perry, marries his bunchbark brother to protect her coming child. An upright man, Mark redeems Abby's faith in herself and the baby, which he delivers on their isolated island. To pay her debt to him, Abby bears his child, backward John, sharp contrast to rapid; ly developing young Nabby. The island prospers, Mark delights in their children. Then Perry, now on the rocks, brings Mark to the edge of ruin, with his scheme of a granite quarry. More tragedy, as Nabby is killed -- Perry takes over the island -- and eventually Mark dies, leaving Abby feeling that all her debts -- and Perry's have been paid. Mabel Robinson has made the transition from juvenile to adult fiction successfully.