"The Tom-Walker" combines the best of Sandoz's realism with her worst attempts at moralizing. Unable to divine exactly what political configuration right-wing post-World War II sentiments might take, Sandoz nevertheless feared a fascist uprising in this country. Perhaps because these concerns dominated her thoughts at the time, she allowed her didacticism to control her art. As a result, "The Tom-Walker" descends into foggy, allegorical nonsense in the final chapter. But in spite of its flaws, this novel demands a closer look.