3 FEBRUARY 1923, Page 23

THE REVOLVING FATES. By Essex Smith. (Hutchin- son. 7s. 6d.)—This

novel has a plot based on the recurrence in successive generations of extraordinary ties between brother and sister in _a family called Lee. This peculiarity is traced back to a strain of gypsy blood in an ancestor—for in Southern Europe it appears to be much more frequently observed. Actually, perhaps, this is only a means of rendering the mutual attraction of Hilary and Len more plausible than, as an isolated easel it would be. An atmosphere of sombre and disastrous passion among the wild landscapes of the Welsh marshes is skilfully produced. Mr. Smith is really too civilized, and does not take the gloves off as he must have done to tackle such a story successfully.