Fiction
The Shrimp and the Anemone has for its background that remot yet now curiously romantic period known as Edwardian. Mr. L. Hartley describes for us the limited world of childhood. Eusta is a well-behaved little boy, so hag-ridden by his sister that h seldom attempts any action without first considering the effect is likely to have on Hilda. She is both ruthless and powerful ; th have no mother, so consequently her dominant personality gro% and is nourished by the hold she has on the nine-year-old boy. is sensitive, dependant, but intelligent ; for while Hilda bosses h and makes him feel guilty, he loves her,' though this does not p vent him from being critical of her conduct, since she has fort him into the habit of examining her own. There are the small even which loomed so large in the lives of children when this century was in its first decade : carriage drives, picnics, dancing classes and the like: For all the handicaps, many indeed, under which Eustace struggles so lamely, he does occasionally defy the edicts of his odious sister, though the cost is never less than outrageous. It is she who pushes him, very much against his own inclinations, into knowing the odd, eccentric and invalid maiden lady, of whom he has heard such terrible legends. She befriends him, opens up new and bril- liant vistas for him ; eventually leaving him a legacy substantial enough to alter his future. Mr. Hartley's theme fits smoothly into the period chosen for it ; his characters, many and various, reflect their world with nonchalant skill : among these portraits, mirrored with all the coloured brilliance of miniatures, that of Eustace suc- cessfully maintains its centre place. An unusual novel which should greatly please those who enjoy unsentimental studies of childhood.
Men Die Alone is a first novel dealing with the struggle in Russ:a. The author, Mr. Michael Leigh, tells how after a ferocious attack, a small detachment of Red Army soldiers find themselves isolated behind the German lines. They have little in the way of supplies, either of food or ammunition, and the weather is winter's snow and winds. They discuss their situation briefly and unanimously decide on an attempt at rejoining their comrades, when and where they can. For greater safety, in the difficult journey ahead, they split into a couple of groups. They have hardly begun the:r dangerous retreat to the hills when they encounter a German patrol, and one of their number is killed. An elderly soldier, wounded in the earlier battle, is armed with a tomrny-gun and left to cover their retreat. The groups are now hopelessly divided. We follow the progress of one, led by a young corporal, who in the days of peace had been a tractor driver. Among its number is a young nurse. After ten minutes' rapid withdrawal they hear the old soldier's gun in aeon. Soon they have gained a rough shelter, where they can rest and hide during the night. The corporal discovers that the nurse has been wounded in the arm. She tears the insignia off her uniform, in order that she may carry and use a gun. This is but the be- ginning ; by the time the story has been told only two of the small party are left alive. Mr. Michael Leigh is a find ; he has a lively and vivid imagination ; his novel is a considerable achievement.
Retreat, Hell arrives most opportunely ; with news of the new campaign in the Philippines coming strong and well, it is given a topical quality which adds flavour to its other excitements. The story opens in Shanghai on a cold November day, just before America was precipitated into the war by the dastardly attack on Pearl Harbour. Told in the first person by one of three friends, all members of the famous American Marine Corps, we see them under embarkation orders. The author, through the words of his prin- cipal figure, pays a touching and devoted tribute to the character of the gallant Chinese people. From Shanghai they go straight into the fighting line at Cavite. It is a terrible story of an epic struggle, related with naive simplicity which wins sympathy and admiration for the courage and endurance of these young men, who though often sentimental and fond of boasting, nevertheless fought against hideous odds with tiger-like ferocity, through the slow and bitter withdrawal, for their last stand at Corregidor. JOHN HAMPSON..
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