CONCERNING THE PROBLEM STORY.

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 131, 29 November 1902, Page 13 (Supplement)

CONCERNING THE PROBLEM STORY.

A few weeks ago a' well-known writer submitted to a publisher a manuscript novel dealing in a dignified and serious way with the sex problem. He received back the manuscript, with this note : "We are sorry to refuse the work of a man of your standing and skill. From the point of view of workmanship we have no f»ult to find with this story. But, in spite of our keen desire to have your name on our list, we cannot reverse our policy never to publish a book dealing witb. a painful, or with what many, of our readers would call an objectionable, theme." Since that time the writer has offered the manuscript to two other publishers, both of wHom have refused it for the reasons that caused its refusal in the first instance. He has since discussed the manuscript with other publishers, frankly stating his experience, and they have all told him that they .would entertain the same objections. So he has locked his manuscript in a drawer and he has begun a new novel in which he purposes to deal, as he says, with, "a comedy plot in a comedy spirit." Now tins experience is interesting because, it is typical of present-day conditions. Our publishers are seeking on all sides for wholesome stories, dealing optimistically with life and reaching happy conclusions. The reaction against the problem story is complete, a direct consequence of the popularity of the necromantic novel, which almost inevitably maintains a hopeful outlook. In seeking out the popular novels of the day, read ers may feel sure that they arc not going to be dispirited or depressed. Never has our literature' brought better cheer. For their vigilance in this regard our publishers deserve appreciation. But, on the whole, is this limiting of tke field of literature profitable? Is it 'inlikely that it crowds out books of per-hc-ps as great .a. value as the romantic novels, if not of more value? Suppose that the publisher of the past oad been as severe as the publisher of 10-day ! It would be suggestive to think of the books that would have come under his disapproval. Under such conditions we might have been kept from reaving Oliver TVist, Adam Becle, and Anna JCarenina, to mention only a few of the books that have be-en enjoyed by thousands of readers. Then, too, there are many readers in this county who have no interest in books deliberately written to meet a tendency or to' create good cheer. They take their fiction seriously and like to see nic treated in an impartial spirit. To such readers the "sutmy" stor-ies of the day seem like Simday-scliool fiction. It is too young for them, too biased, too inaccurate. One critic, who deplores the present limitations of the publishers, declares that most of the popular modern fiction has "no relation to human life." Jf this condition reveals one of me results of the publishers' vigilance, it must certainly be regarded as a severe arrangement. Literature, to be good, to be vital, to be, even wholesome, must have its roots in human life. As soon as it gives wilfully distorted views , of life it becomes second-rate, iv many cases' frankly dishonest. There has probably nwer been a period in the history of our fiction when there was so much insincere writing as there is now, writing based not on" living models, but on. other successfwl boo'^s, ?nd written merely to appeal to popular tastes and prejudices. — New York limes.