THE "HERRIES" SERIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21640, 4 November 1933, Page 9 (Supplement)

THE "HERRIES" SERIES

HUGH WALPOLE'S GREAT TASK

With the publication of " Vanessa " Mr. Hugh Walpole has completed the four massive novels which comprise his " Herries" series. This panoramic history oi' an English upper middle class family, spreading from the moors of Cumberland over the face of England, is definitely one of the major achievinents of a figure of no little importance in modern literature. Were it not for the fact that in some respects the history of Walpole's Horries inevitably challenges comparison with that of Galsworthy's Forsytes, this latest family " saga" would probably have won more widespread acclaim for an author who, in spite of consistent success, has never received quite the recognition that is his due. Hut it is not necessary to draw invidious comparisons between the magnum opus of Walpole and that of Galsworthy. The two men take a different view of things, for whereas Galsworthy always seemed to bo primarily concerned with manners, Walpole takes the more personal view. Perhaps this explains why " The Forsyte Saga" and " A Modern Comedy" were set almost entirely in London, while Walpole makes his Herries family spend at least half their time among the hills of Cumberland where men, not manners, are the things that count. "Vanessa," Mr. Walpole says, brings his Herries history to a close, but one must take leave to doubt that statement. The daughter of Vanessa Herries is far too interesting a creature to be left suddenly married to a blind Frenchman, working in Berlin for international peace. Mr. Walpole will doubtless see to this, but it must not l)e inferred that this fourth novel is left unfinished. It traverses the whole of the Victorian era, continues to the present day, and ends on a note of uncertainty in keeping with the uncertainty of the times. Mr. Walpole is the historian; he does not attempt to assume the mantle of the prophet. Vanessa is the grand-daughter of tljat richly drawn character, Judith Paris, and with a masterly touch Mr. Walpole sketches her love for the strangely erratic Benjie Herries, in whom some of the qualities of the old " Rogue" Herries are reborn. He is a " wild one," feared and periodically outlawed by the stolid, unimaginative Herries, who have come to the front as pillars of Victorian society. Around the family in the last book has been written a novel in the " Cavalcade" theme, and Mr. Walpole has proved himself a master of episodic treatment. Vanessa and Benjie both stand out in high relief, and there is real nobility in the portraval of character. But the' parts of the story ret in Cumberland have a peculiar and irresistible appeal. Mr. Walpole loves this wild country of crag and lake, scudding cloud and beating rain. He has pictured it as it deserves to be pictured, and throughout the four long novels, which he hopes will be read continuously as one, the Cumberland scene and the Cumbrian character provide n lasting pleasure in a noble piece of writing.

" Vanessa," by Hush W:\lpole. (Maeinil lan.)