Author Makes A Novel From. His Boyhood

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 208, 3 September 1938, Page 10 (Supplement)

Author Makes A Novel From. His Boyhood

MR. CHRISTOPHER ISHERWOOD, author of novels and plays, has written a book which describes his boyhood, university life and literary beginnings. In "Lions and Shadows (Hogarth Press) he does not commit himself by saying whether his tale is strict autobiography or fiction, but advises it being read as a novel. One has a feeling that it is pretty near the truth. There is nothing particularly original about Mr. Sherwood's career; in fact, it is more or less typical of the life of many young literary men in England. It is perhaps on this account particularly valuable, for its merit is its dispassionate sincerity and the calm impersonal humour and understanding with which lie can recount his adventures. At Cambridge his main interest is in his fellow-men, and though blessed with a scholarship and considerable academic ability, he is more concerned with exploring and observing the many undergraduate cliques; owing to his inability to give examinations their due attention he is obliged to leave, and try his hand at many occupations —as secretary to a musician, tutor, and medical student. His determination to be_ a writer grows, but he closes his narrative before he reaches real success in that line. The two outstanding features of the book are Mr. Holmes, the history tutor, who is the most delightful schoolmaster we have ever met, and the imaginary village of Mortmere. The appeal of this book will lie limited, but those who are interested in the development of the literary mind will find it extraordinarily stimulating.