There Can Be Snobbishness In Writing Just As In Life

Radio Record, Volume XII, Issue 24, 25 November 1938, Page 14

There Can Be Snobbishness In Writing Just As In Life

Written For The "Record" By

Eric

Bradwell

’ FAULT I find with many modern novels is an attempt to give their story an air of sophistication by indulging in a particular form of literary and artistic snobbishness which is as irritating as it is insineere. I am not altogether accusing Marion Ward of this, but it appears to me there are moments in "Banco" when sbe strives a little too blatantly for effect, and in so doing loses her way. . The reactions of a spirited young girl whose whole life has been spent in the cloistered security of Aunt Caroline, and who suddenly breaks into a somewhat motley giratum of Parisian society, offer scope for some interesting writing that does not materialise. As an analytical study, "Banco" is not entirely successful; as a superficial story about superficial people it is bright and inconsequential, and can be relied upon to entertain. I forget how many men Sylvia Sherwooil bedded with during the

course of her initiation in the diffieult art of successful living, but she snaps her fingers at most of them and calls Eanco-if sometimes 2 trifle unconvincingly. Miss Ward never really gets beneath the skin of her characters sufficiently well to make them live, and I had a sense of unreality about the peculiar little coterie of people Sylvia Sherwood was thrown among.

Real Insight

There are one or two exceptions, however, and here and there you will find some delightful little cameos, etched in with a sure touch. There is a _ hard-boiled American journalist you are sure to like, in spite of his crudeness -or maybe because of it. "Banco" is a story that is full of incident, and contains occasional flashes of real insight. In quite a different category is G. E. Trevelyan’s "Theme With Variations." Here is a real and sincere attempt to portray the ordinary emotions of ordinary’ people, an attempt that sueceeds admirably.

Miss Trevelyan brings a depth of experience and a rich understanding of human nature into this vivid and arresting study. "Theme With Variations" is not a book with much plot, and if you like a fuilblooded story, packed with incident, I do not for a moment recommend this story-it is quiet, subtie and delicate. Miss Trevelyan takes as her theme a dissatisfied state of mind, and proceeds to develop it, with ‘variations, through three completely independent groups of characters, There is something very true about the way these people behave -Sam Smith, the furniture remover, who likes his pint on a Saturday night; Evelyn Dyart Robinson, the schoolgirl who must always remember that she is a Dyart before she is a Robinson; and Frances Jones, who married an elderly dentist and spends her days reading passionate novelettes.

Polished

There is nothing ragged or untidy about the way Miss Trevelyan handles her theme; it is neat, staccato and polished.

As a quiet little poke at human nature, "Theme With Variations" is rollicking fun, in spite of its underlying vein of tragedy. And it will startle you with its truth. "Banco," by Marion Ward. "Theme with Variations," by G. £. Trevelyan, Gollancz, London. Our copies from the publisher.