Short Stories

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30947, 31 December 1965, Page 4

Short Stories

Tales of the West Riding. By Phyllis Bentley. Goilancz. 176 pp.

The first two of these six short stories, dated 1434 and 1641 respectively, suggest that they originated from a traditional source. The rest are 19th and 20th century studies of Yorkshire life and character, the last of them being a present-day drama of modern industry which runs to more than half the length of the book. The 15th century tale, “Faithful and True,” is the romantic love story of Richard Askrode, and his bastard cousin Emmott, and tells of Richard’s struggle to overcome, first, family prejudice against his marriage, and then the more formidable bar which only Papal permission could break, of the couple’s consanguinity. “Episode in the Tower” which follows, is a vivid little sketch of that stubborn Yorkshireman. Thomas Wentworth, Earl of

Strafford, who, charged by a jealous Parliament with the crime of treason, is certain that his King will stand by him—only to suffer, through Charles I’s fatal weakness of character the fate which later overtakes the monarch himself. “Malice of the Soul” and "Old Maid’s Story” are both about Victorian women—the first a tragedy resulting from overweening pride, and the second a vignette of selfabnegation. “A Question of Background” is a fragment of Yorkshire life, showing the love of its people for their own little corner of the country. “The Hardaker Affair” is the most conventional of the collection, with its story of working-class ambition, hard-headed business men and the weakness of a younger generation which cannot measure up to responsibility. Phyllis Bentley has portrayed the strength and weaknesses of her characters with sympathy and skill.