RANSOM

by Lois Duncan ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1966

The story concerns a clutch of five teenagers, each with distinct, individual problems. Marianne, the most spirited of the group, still retains her devotion to her irresponsible, uncaring father and refuses to accept her mother's remarriage or her stepfather; Jesse has lived in many parts of the world, is quite sophisticated and cultured for her age but doesn't know much about dealing with other people and is particularly withdrawn around her contemporaries; Dexter is slightly crippled, orphaned, self-conscious and solitary; Glenn is the school leader, handsome and suave, but totally self-interested with no capacity for sympathizing with anyone else; his younger brother Bruce is puppy-dog affectionate and helpful, totally idolatrous of Glenn. They, and to some extent their parents, are drawn together in a complete and cohesive novel when a ""substitute"" school bus driver kidnaps them and holds them for ransom. Each one's reactions are revealed according to personality, and the author has credited her characters with a proper amount of maturity. The resolutions of their problems are a little pat and typical of the teenage romance approach, but the unusual and holding story helps give them substance.

Pub Date: April 1, 1966

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1966

Categories: FICTION