The branding iron

New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1919. Hard cover. Good in fair dust jacket. The Branding Iron BY KATHARINE NEWLIN BURT-PUBLISHED BY GROSSET & DUNLAP-COPYRIGHT 1919-HARDCOVER GOOD CONDITION LOW FAIR DUST JACKET. BOOK ONE: The Two-Bar Brand So if someone (let's call him person #1) does something really... vi, 310 p., [3] leaves of plates; 20 cm. Includes Plates. The Branding Iron BY KATHARINE NEWLIN BURT-PUBLISHED BY GROSSET & DUNLAP-COPYRIGHT 1919-HARDCOVER GOOD CONDITION LOW FAIR DUST JACKET. BOOK ONE: The Two-Bar Brand So if someone (let's call him person #1) does something really despicable, something violent, a one off, while under the influence of a mind altering substance (drink), is that person beyond hope of eventual forgiveness? How about person #2 who out of good, albeit selfish intentions knowingly deceives a person, keeping them in comfort but captive and dependant for a long period of time, even taking their innocence for their own amusement? Which one in your mind is the more reprehensible? This is the quandary presented in the short but absorbing tale, "The Branding Iron". I really liked this. It's one of those books that tugs at you when you put it down and keeps on tugging until you pick it up again. I found it a cross between Ouida's "Moths " and Thomas Hardy's "Tess of the D'Urbervilles". Quite a moralistic story but one that doesn't sacrifice entertainment for a moral lesson. It just makes you think long afterwards, which I like. BOOK TWO: The Estray I didn't realize when I read Book one that Book two is the second half of "The Branding Iron". I thought it was just another short story. So I was really pleased to be able to continue the story. Unfortunately, I can't really tell you any more than I already have about the plot because I would spoil things. So why 4 stars when I loved it so much? Really, its the same complaint I had with "Moths". I liked the ending, I agreed with the ending, but I wanted more of it. The ending feels very sudden and we can't savor it. And I wanted to. An epilogue would have been wonderful. But it's a great book and more should read it!