David Vallory

"David Vallory" by Francis Lynde is a story about a young engineer named David Vallory who comes back to his hometown of Middleboro after a long absence. His return home is not the happy reunion he expects and he soon discovers a sense of disappointment as he realizes his hometown is not like he remembers, and now tinged with melancholy. He finds his family facing hard times because the local bank is in danger of failing, which puts his father in a really tough spot financially. This creates a complex mix of family struggles and moral questions for David as he deals with his conflicting views and the practical challenges of life, especially when it comes to his father's difficult choices. The novel explores themes of idealism versus reality, and the challenge of balancing what he believes is right with the practical demands of adulthood, as well as the complexities of his relationships. All of this sets David on a path of maturity as he grows to understand himself better.