SHORT STORIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 27, 3 February 1939, Page 5

SHORT STORIES

“THE RIVER BREAKS UP,” by I. J. Singer (Putnams), pp. 369. This is a Volume of short stories written by the author of “The Brothers Ashkenazi.” which was the outstanding book of 1937. The author in the “Brothers” had a tremendous sweep for his canvas; he had two bi others diverse in character and in careers to give vitality to his story and he has a pen suitable to the technique of the long novel. Although he is not quite as much at home or put it in another way he is not so preeminent in the short story as in the novel because the latter suits him tiie better, yet I would place his stories as among the first rank of to-day. lie can grip the mind of the reader with a character. He always contrives to . do this before he sets out on adventure, but once the movement begins it .’ is essentially true movement. The i tory from which the volume takes its title takes one inside the mind of the main character, the poor Jew who is also a rascal and an adventurer and at the same time an outcaste, a brave and a religious man, I and in his way a fond father. Ta make sure that his family shall not be pitied in his absence for their poverty he attempts to cross the river against the advice of the peasants. The river breaks up and he and the goat which he is endeavouring to drive before him are lost in the river. There are some remarkable pictures of life in Poland, and the author docs not hesitate to show the unattractive side of Continental Jewry. These people living among an ignorant peasantry find themselves misunderstood, suspected, downtrodden. Then some canning member of their race makes a success of sharp practice and the 1 poor suffer for his sins.

| This book contains some truly great 'short stories and those interested in , the development of that form of literiary expression should ensure 1 hemselves to reading this volume. Those interested in the problem of Jewry in the world to-day will be able to learn much of the causes of anti-Semetism from these short stories. The author is a Jew of the Jews but he is also j an artist of artists and doesn’t shrink from putting in the unpleasant details. Perhaps on the whole the 'stories are on the depressing side I From an historical standpoint and i from the standpoint of artistic exj pression the volume is sound food. I would recommend it to all. To Jews it will be of front rank interest. FICTION "LISA ■V ALE,” by Olive Higgiiu Prouty (Hodder and Stoughton), p E . 404. This is undoubtedly the best novel which I have read during the yeai 1938. This is purely what used to be termed a triangle story, but instead of having clandestine adventures the romantic side of the triangle is played hy a lady and a gentleman. Their friendship, indeed their love, remains what it should be. It never descends to the depths. The ladv is married, her husband is a good man but inadequate. The lover is a divorcee and a gentleman. The two attracted to each other realise that they are but | part of a pattern of life in which the. ' rising generation has an important part to play. Their relationships, that of the man and the woman, ale discussed by themselves. She says: "You used the word secrecy a little while ago. That's what I find especially difficult —the secrecy of our relationship. To anyone brought up as 1 have been the realisation that I am leading what is called 'a double life’ is a shock." "You flay yourself, dear,” he replied. "Lots of people living under difficult circumstances escape to another life outside —sometimes it’s simply a dream life, sometimes its a hobby. The effect is to give them inner peace and fresh courage to carry on their obligations. “But you're neither a dream nor a hobby. I'm afraid mine is the undesirable kind of double life."

“But you’ve often told me it made you kinder at home, more patient, more tolerant about imperfections. It has had the same effect on me. For years it reconciled me to the awfUi mess Emma and I made of life together. 1 used to feel defrauded anu resentful, but after you came into my life I could be kind to Emma, generous, even gay. . . .” The author is penetrating in het understanding of the plot and of het characters. She has sympathy with, them all and in giving them space to breathe in her book she does so with a skilled pen. It is delightful reading and an artistic achievement. “SINGING GUNS,” by Max Brand (Hodder and Stoughton), pp. 253. Here is character analysis in a Western setting. The retrieving of an outlaw to civilisation, the plotting and the counterplotting of two families and the treasure which is discovered by a very agile brain using the outlaw, the lady crook and her brother is a very clever piece of construction. The story is full of action and its well written. “POSTSCRIPT TO POISON," hy Dorothy Bowers and “A BLUNT INSTRUMENT,” by Georgette Heyer (Hodder and Stoughton). Both good mystery crime stories as their titles imply. They are well worked out plots with plenty of adventure and surprise. They take the reader out of himself.

REPRINT "SHINING WINDOWS," by Hathleen Norris (John Murray). William Ballard was an inventor who had full faith in his ability to succeed. Moreover, he inspired faith in others to such an extent that his foremen were willing to take shares in the marketing of his inventions. A crash camo with loss for the investors as well as the inventor. A legacy came to the latter and he promtly paid back the money his men had lost. This left the family in very straitened circumstances. Mrs. Norris tells the story of the family reactions and of Joyce, the youngest daughter, in particular. Characterisation is, of course, the main feature, and in such skilful hands is no light achievement. It is a pretty and convincing tale.