Pedlar's Pack. By Oliver Onions. (Eveleigh Nash. 6s.)— Although this
collection of short stories is interesting, Mr. Oliver Onions has not quite succeeded in equalling the poetic spirit of his last volume, "Back o' the Moon." But it is perhaps exacting to require that any novelist should equal the extraordinary charm of the first story in that volume, "The Pillars." There is snore tragedy, some of it violent tragedy, and less of the joyousness of open-air life, than in Mr. Onions's former works. The book is therefore less pleasing to read, though its power is undeniable. "The Freeholders," "The Third Vote," and, indeed, most of the other stories, have a tragic attraction of their own ; but it is much less rare in the present day to find an author who writes with sombre power than one who touches truly the poignant charm of "the invitation to the road." However, Mr. Onions is always interesting, and this book is no exception.
Previous page
