The Re-Creation of Brian Kent

In 1919 Wright used the Ozarks again for his ninth novel, The Re-Creation of Brian Kent. Unfortunately, the novel does not maintain the quality which can be found in the earlier novel. In The Shepherd of the Hills, the landscape descriptions are realistic, depicting both the beauty of the spring season and the brutality of a drought. In contrast, Wright dwells upon trite sunsets in his later novel. The novel focuses on Brian Kent, a bank clerk who steals money from the Chicago bank where he works to placate his extravagant wife who socializes with members of a degenerate, rich clique. When he discovers her infidelity, he attempts suicide by drowning but is saved by Auntie Sue, an elderly woman who lives in the Ozarks. She is modeled after Wright's real Auntie Sue. With the assistance of her companion, Judy Taylor, a crippled girl abused by her alcoholic father, she helps Brian to return to his former good character before his wife's influence affected him. After the school teacher rehabilitates the former thief through hard work, he stays to help her. They discuss river philosophy and she suggests that he write a book. He agrees after he explains that he failed when he tried to write before. This time he succeeds because he has learned the meaning of life with Auntie Sue's help. To prepare the manuscript for the publisher, Betty Jo, a friend of Auntie Sue's, comes to serve as a typist. Brian and his typist fall in love, but a barrier stands between them -- Brian's wife. Also, Judy Taylor declares her love for Brian and unsuccessfully attempts to kill Betty Jo. A group of tourists, which includes his wife, discovers Brian. She has become a totally dissipated woman as a result of her reckless, but wealthy life with her lover. Fortunately, the wife drowns in the river in an opportune accident though Brian attempts to save her, an action which demonstrates the height of his moral character, since her death would free him to marry Betty Jo. Brian and Betty Jo marry upon the arrival of her uncle and guardian, the bank president from whom Brian stole the money. Not recognizing the "recreated" Brian, the uncle lauds him as the new genius whose book is so sensible. Glad to find him so much changed, Betty Jo's guardian grants his consent for the marriage, and the entire group is happy, including Judy, who realizes that she can never have Brian. She will try to become a better human being by following the example set by Brian and Auntie Sue. - Dr. Joyce Kinkead.