272. A Lion is In the Streets, by Adria Locke Langley (read 4 Aug 1946) On July 28, 1946, said: "Reading 'A Lion Is in the Streets'. Story of politician resembling Huey Long. Rather vulgar. Improving." On Aug 4 I said: 'Finished 'A Lion is in the Streets which wasn't any good', Did interest me in Huey Long, though." ( )

This fine political novel tells a similar story to "All the King's Men", and is apparently based on the same Southern political boss, Huey Long. This tells the tale from the wife's point of view, about a Louisiana good ol' boy who rises by dint of charisma, ambition and dealmaking to the governorship, only to find that his own betrayals of his followers and the ideals that swept him into office have brought about his own downfall. This excellent political novel is only slightly marred by an improbable climax and a somewhat unsatisfying resolution. On the whole, the more famous "All the King's Men" (which won a Pulitzer) is the better novel, but not by a lot, and it would be interesting to read these two similar tales in sequence. ( )