SOME RECENT FICTION.

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 282, 17 August 1918, Page 11

SOME RECENT FICTION.

Arnold Bennett's Latest. Mr. Arnold Bennett's latest novel, "Tho Pretty Lady" (Cassell and Co.; per S. nnd W. Maokay), is a war novel. True, none of its scenes are laid at tho front, but it is none tho less a war novel, and a very brilliaut, if, in certain of its characterisations, « somewhat baffling production. In mid-Victorian days it would have been impossible, for an English novelist to bring forward a Parisian courtesan as his heroine. Hut other times, other view.? and tastes—both in the novelist and the novel reader. Christine'Dubois, the "pretty lady" of the now story, is young and beautiful, and has a soul, a far" greater soul lhan tho middle-aged wealthy luau about town who is her lover had ever dreamt of her possessing. Tho story is nominally that of the relationship between these two people, their meeting, their mutual affection, and, for a time, their mutual trust; but its strength lies in rile renli.<<m ot' its pictures of London in war lime, and especially of London in a "stale of nerves." Other women besidea the pretty Parisienue figure prominently in l.ho story; indeed, the Beautiful Lady Oueenie, with her constnntlyuluinging fails and passions, might be said to bo just as much tho veal heroine of tho novel as Christine herself. Queenie, with her crazo for V.utunst decoralTOHis awl Conception Smith, the young sociely leader who desorU the Uilz and th« Cnrltnn and goes oil to work in a Ulasgov munition factory, are cleverly-etched portraits, and that Mr. Dennett can give us tragedy without a (suspicion of melodrama just as easily in ho can avoid tho grotesque and exaggerated in his satire, is proved by his description of the Zeppelin 'aid which ends poor Qucrtiiie's hectic and unwholesome life. Mr. Bennett's pictures of club scenes, of (lie Hieatro in war time, of various war relief committres. and o! many other phace* of that new and exciting existence which \\n« been forced upon woll-to-ilo London by the war are admirable. Nev:r l.:w liis lunch been liriner and mniv sure. I'n many readers Hip. coverninir nKiUf of the story may be repellent—and, of course., to some qiii'to impossibli , . Nevßi-lliele.'s, it is o powortiil and fascinutitif; production, ii niece of Biiprtime literary artistry.

"Agatha's Fortune." Mr. Harold JJindloss apparently never tiros of writing stories of Canadian life, and so long us they ai'O as well planned, well told, und interesting as is this author's last production, "Agatha's I'ortuim" (Ward, Lock and Co., per Wuitcombe und Tombs), his popularity with tho novel-rending public is not likely to suffer any abatement. Juu Tkirlwell," tho young English engineer and mining speculator, is a typical Bimlloss hero— strong-willed, defiant of misfortune, who works his way manfully through a morass of obstacles and difficulties deep and muddy enough to daunt a man of less patient perseverance and determination. Tlio heroine, Agatha Strange, whoso father had discovered what ho felt confident was a valuable lode of silver in the far North-AVost, but had died before ho could return and develop it, is a well-drawn, interesting h'gui'e, and there are a host of minor characters, including ni least two first-class villains, who all lend valuable aid in making tho story one of well-sustained interest. The wild life led by tho prospectors and trappers, who sharo with , the scattered rertinants of tho Indian tribes _ these wild and desolate regions, is described with a suro hand. Altogether this latest oi Mr. Bindloss'e long series of Canadian yarns is quito equal in literary craftsmanship and interest for its readers to its many predecessors. "Stephen Vale." "Stephen yalo," by Paul Trent (Ward, Lock and Co., pel , Whitcombo and Tombs), is a brightly written story, sensational in tone, but witli its plot and the development thereof remaining well within tho realms of probability. Tho htfro is tho son of a baronet-lawyer, who has specialised in family 6ccrets—and family ecaudals. When tho father dies the son examines his papers, and instead of burning them, weakly allows them to bo examined by u, well-meaning, but rather silly, en rate friend, who uses the knowledge gained therefrom to compel a wicked slum-owner and sweater to amend his ways. Unfortunately, other papers fall into less worthy hands, with Mie result that the Bislion of Grandchester, with whose daughter tho hero is in love, has to face tho ghost of an awkward incident in his early life, for a selfish and mischievous peer, who also loves his daughter, threatens to expose the unhappy prelate unless tlio fair yonng lady will marry him. The position' is complicated by the fact that the nobleman has promised to marry a star of tho musical comedy stage, and also by the unpleasant truth, known only to the hero, that the nobleman is illigitimate. In tho end tho peer is fouiid dead in his house, and circumstantial evidence'points lo his rival, Vale, being his murderer. How tho mystoTy.-. is cleared up, how the long suffering , , bishop is relieved of the fear of exposure, and how tho baronet hero wins his Ruth, I must not say. Mr. Trent's etory is admirably suitable for a 6teainer or long railway journey.

Lord Lansdowno proposes ."profitable conversations" with tho Germans! How profitable—to tho Huns—were tho conversations with the Bolshcyiki and the resulting German domination "in Russia is emphasised in an article in tho June number of "THE ROUND TABLE," entitled "The Ordeal." This describes tho revival of tlio Prussian demand for "a good German peace." Why the present crisis is the supreme test of tlio British Commonwealth is-eloquently explained. The growth of American war power, the Irish crisis, India's present political position; and the German colonies in the Pacific aro dealt with fully in this number. Tlio artMo entitled "Rus=ia, Germany and Asia" shows how the result of the present struggle will affect the whole East, with its lure lo Germany of India and China; Canada's ntfitude wifh regard to liniior. women, titles, profiteering and political patronage, and the operations of conscription in. Quebec are vividly depicted. "THE UOTTND TAISLE" is n British naner for British people—Hierefore, you should (support it. From all Booksellers, or a free copy of a back issun will bo sent on onriliention to "The Round Tnble." Box 877, G.P.0.. Wellinglon.--(Publis]ied by Arrangement.) .