GIVE IT BACK TO THE LEMON GROWERS

by Willard Temple ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 18, 1961

Willard Temple's last novel Everyday is Sunday (1959) was soap-opera fiction populated by cliche characters. This novel works in the same vein but it shows more superficial skill and more imagination. Primarily the situation involves a re-zoning battle in a small town but the author manages to stretch a basic, easily comprehensible, struggle into a series of complications that are recognizable and, on a certain level, entertaining. Sam Gillespie, big-time financier, comes to the sleepy California town of San Manuel determined to ""develop"" it. He is opposed by the town's major influence, dowager-type, Hester Fay. The battle seesaws and is almost decided by George Pringle, a refugee from New York who likes San Manuel the way it is but realizes that a fight against ""progress"" is a losing battle. His deciding vote goes to Sam. Hester Fay loses- but her niece wins Sam's assistant, who is converted to San Manuel-isms. Actually Sam loses too: an earthquake demolishes his plans. The status quo is restored though Pringle is resigned to future alterations.

Pub Date: May 18, 1961

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Crown

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1961

Categories: FICTION