. CLAIRE AMBLER. By Booth Tarkington. (Heinemann. 7.s. 6d.)—In three
glimpses Mr. Tarkington reveals the development of a spoilt little Arilerican beauty. We see. her first as a pretty young flapper 'coolly and Cruelly trying her charm on various males of her own' age at a Seaside resort in Maine, and incidentally all but causing the death of one: The conversation between Claire and the sophomore. Nelson
is a miracle of shy imbecility. You got a way of -saying things that's kind of got a kick in it," says the wretched boy again and again. The young lady is next seen against the radiant backg round of Raona, where she flirts equally with a romantic Fascist noble and with the' evil Bastioni brothers) while her capricious heart settles on a war-struck Englishmani come to die in the sunlight of his incurable ills. . Implored not to disturb his resignation, she does some unselfish acting, and departs in her first anguish. Finally, at twenty-five, she realizes through some rather fiery jealousy that she likes one of her admirers well enough to marry him. It is an easily written indulgent little study, not too profound— for who would break a butterfly like Claire upon the wheel of analysis ?
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