SONS AND DAUGHTERS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 154, 25 March 1939, Page 2 (Supplement)

SONS AND DAUGHTERS

"From the Ends of the Earth.” by Lambert Williams (London: Duck- ■ worth).

This is the story of an happilyphilosophical widow whose sixty years sit lightly* upon her. “She didn't recognize age. She recognized youth, but not age; youth was different. It was bloom. But all the rest,” she said, “was fruit.” Iu the evening of a lifetime spent as a loyal wife and loving mother, she inherits a large fortune under the will of a former lover, and calls her children together from London, Geneva. Africa, India and America, to tell them how she has decided to deal with it.

The author develops the story interestingly, and shows ability and understanding in presenting the various family groups, and expressing the personalities and reactions of people whose interests have grown far apart during years of separation and absence from home. The characters are well-drawn, and he cleverly examines their inner thoughts and passing emotions. This is a well-written and appealing book.

Many regrets have been expressed at the passing of the English quarterly review, “The Criterion.” It was founded 1G years ago by T. S. Eliot, who has continued, to edit it during the whole of its brief life. Its circulation has always been small, but its influence on contemporary letters has by no means been negligible.