Summitt

Every man, and every community, has its breaking point. This is the arresting and powerful idea which is examined by William P. McGivern in his new novel,

The suburban development of Faircrest had seemed a model of contemporary values, pleasures and problems, its young home owners sane and intelligent — until the unexpected happened. Then John Farrell’s son began to steal, the Wards’ boy lied in terror about a fight he had been in at school and a German Luger disappeared from the Detweillers’ home. It became apparent that an ugly and mysterious influence was operating within the peaceful blocks of Faircrest.

The adults recognized the danger signals. It was obvious their children’s values and safety were being threatened. This was a time for calmness, for issues to be clearly defined. But the parents failed to realize that their own values were also put to test in this explosive situation. A conviction of righteousness swept through the community like a grass fire, and with it an impatience with the law and a disregard for the rights of anyone beyond the threatened portals of Faircrest. What man, what individual life is ever strong enough to survive such a spell of riot?

Here, in a tense and unusual book, is a sobering picture of what could happen in any modern American community.