The Malefactors Art and Poetry and yet its concern is

and yet its concern is coldly theoretical

may intimidate the casual reader

The last of Undset’s modern background novels

In her Introduction

“with its weaknesses and imperfections

The Malefactors Art and Poetry and yet its concern isBy Caroline Gordon The Malefactors so perfectly captures the enervated carnality and marmoreal frigidity of the Lost Generation, and the ensuing need and the desire for meaning, that Flannery OConnor called it undoubtedly the most serious and successful fictional treatment of a conversion by an American writer to date. Tom and Vera Claiborne have settled at Blenckers Bridge with a motley assortment of friends, family, and literati. Despite life at