The Revolt of Youth

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17607, 24 October 1931, Page 13

The Revolt of Youth

“J. BELIEVE-that .what is deplorable . , in post-war literature is due to thb younger generation’s desire for revenge'against the conditions which made the war possible. It represents the revolt of youth against the theory of life which had had so disastrous a result,” says Sir Philip Gibbs in an interview in the summer issue of The Book Window, , “That revolt has naturally had its expression in literature, and I .agree yyith klr.„ Galsworthy ..that many wrijt--1 c'rs are too much absorbed in the ; cpmniunal aspect of life to the neglect jof character. But,, after, all, most objectional books have but a limited sale, and I feel that the sex pbsession quit is already- passing. The.,success of “such noyeis aq‘.“Thc Gpod .Companions” is sure It an indication of, that, . “Where some novelists do a disservice to their art,” he continued, , “is by the use of language which is an offence against good manners. I am not a Puritan or squeamish, but I. do object to language wjjicli the writer would never dream of Rising in my drawing-room in the presence of my wife —language which has no necessity development of character, and is.ptprely evidence of lMman- . ners.” .