[The appearance of "The Withered Root"] in this country introduces a young writer of more than ordinary talent, and a book which, as a first novel, has penetration, grace of style and a scrupulous sincerity.

Mr. Davies has localized an important theme from the idiosyncrasies abounding in the "religious" character. His approach and perspective are, however, gratefully un-Freudian…. His argument is a simple one—that the revivalist or fanatic, before his soul has been clouded with sawdust, turns to God to compensate for the lack of a completed earthly existence.

No doubt the game works both ways, and an Elmer Gantry, a trifle fed up on heavenly love, will turn zealot only with respect to the fleshpots, but Mr. Davies foreshortens his hero's life dramatically, a little too forcibly, perhaps, but still at the point where his sincerity is undiminished and his soul remains as crystal to the...