[In the following review, Walton observes that Passions Spin the Plot straddles the categories of fiction and autobiography, loosing “dramatic power” as a result. Walton asserts the novel is otherwise interesting, and honest, and that the central character is developed with depth and complexity.]

This second novel [Passions Spin the Plot] in Mr. Fisher's tetralogy, which began with In Tragic Life, continues the story of Vridar Hunter through his college years. Both books are rather like case histories, both seem to be rather thinly disguised autobiography, and as autobiography they are very interesting and quite powerful. Mr. Fisher tells us that his purpose above all others is to write an “honest” book, and this he has done. His ability to describe a strange and primitive country like the Antelope Hill territory, and to interpret the effect of such a background on his characters, is unusual. But honesty in fiction and honesty in biography may be two different things. Honesty in fiction implies selection in order to achieve structure. To describe every experience in a young man's life and its effect upon his character, to document with letters and with diaries the inner struggle of youth, is not necessarily to write a novel. Passions Spin the Plot loses dramatic power because of its detailed, episodic form. Written as fiction but giving the impression of autobiography, it falls between the two forms.

Mr. Fisher is acutely aware of the complexities in his chief character. He traces the development of Vridar with great care. We see this very egocentric, extremely sensitive boy suffering as only such a boy would suffer when thrown into a new and somewhat alien environment. The first of his clan to go away to college, Vridar tries to learn what college and what college youths are about. Both his professors and his classmates disillusion him. But nevertheless he remains the stubborn individualist, intent almost exclusively upon his own inner feelings. He is in love with the little playmate of his childhood days, and as the book closes he marries her. One can see that the marriage will bring further tragedy to him, and to her a life she cannot understand.

If the other books in this series follow the same plan, the tetralogy will form a most interesting psychological document. Mr. Fisher's style is without affectation and is a good medium for his analysis of a single life. The other characters in these books are of minor importance. The whole is Vridar's story. But Mr. Fisher can draw character, can give with complete realism the picture of a curious and rather cruel clan society. There is passion behind his writing—and bitterness. Mr. Fisher is able, moreover, to make clear the various forces playing upon his central character and to persuade his readers of their part in forming that character.