Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-13
"Prisoners of Hope"
tAtlanta CONSTITUTIONAL


In dealing with somewhat trihing
matter the other day-namely, the fact
that not a copy of q recent highly sue
cessful book had been sold in the au-
thors native town-the Constitution took
occasion TO refer briefly 70 prisoners OF
Hope" by Mary Johnston remarking
that 10 IS in a class by itself ana stands
alone, so TAR as American hction ls CON
cerued. We now recur 10 the mat
ter for the purpose u cOngratularng
our readers on the fact That this book,
which places it's author at tho head OF
modern writer's of American fiction, ts
from the pen OF 81 young woman, ma
tive Of Virginia, now living IN Birmlag-
ham. who can hardly be said 10 have
reached The prime Of her intellectual
power.
In felicltatlng ourselves on The fact that
the author OF prisoners Of Hope" IS a
southerner we confess 10 that provincial
pride which may very well 90 band IN
hand with larger views. PrOVlnciallty Of
the right sort is not the narrow affair
that some would have US believe. IL IS
inherent in all races who have high ideals
OF home, which means that IL IS particu-
larly prominent In the combination Of
Celt and Angl0-SaX0n, which forms the
bulk of the white population Of the South
prisoners of Hope is Il story Of early
Colonial times, and carries out with per
feet art all the conditions and details
that belong TO that period. Some essayist
remarked the other day iaat writer's or
American fiction would search I'D this
country in vain Tor color ana atmosphere
properly so called. Why2 Well, IL Is the
old story-the lack of ruins, teudal memo
ries, and things of that kind. IL Is
IlIN bali.
not have plucked him by the sleeve and
called his attention 10 prisoners or
Hope" For here is a book IN which
atmosphere and color play their only
legitimate part IN art; they are felt
rather than seen. There are fye descrip-
lions Of scenery, and the author has a
keen eye for nature and us large SYM
pathies, but above and beyond the letter
is the spirit OF things dwelling IN the
spacious background and surroundings.
The reason why American fiction IS so
barren OF color and atmosphere is that
writer's persistently try TO point them
out. They insist on presenting them 20
the mind as something tangible, and the
illusion vanishes. IL this remarkable
book both color and atmosphere present
an ever deepening scheme preceding and
following the movement and bending
tenderly over the motive. They do not
seem TO belong 10 the tale, but they are
q part OF It, and give the reader an OPP
portunity 20 breathe the finest air that
fiction can AFFORD.
We have said that Miss JohnstOn's book
Is in a class by itself and stands alone.
Perhaps IL may be difficult 10 justify 50
extreme a. statement bun since the bulk
OF modern criticism is mere personal opin-
! ion. the reader is welcome 10 deal Win
Il according % his lights. Nevertheless,
/ Prisoners Of Hope" Is a successful at
tempt TO blend the novel proper with pure
romance. It's object Is 10 place before our
eyes p picture OF the early Colonial pc
Rod This Is very successfully done. Ire
, scheme is carried out with certain gray
restraint that appeals powerfully 10 the
! Imagination, and with a simplicity thal
Is not 10 be matched In modern icuoh'
but the whO.e result ana effect ol tue
| book Is 20 leave the reader awed ana SUP,
! dued in the presence Of the highest ldeal
! the human mind can realize this side OF
Heaven.
The reader Is awed and subdued De,
! cause sOr many years fiction has onelcu
no such food Tor his intellectual 9ppe,
ute. Instead OF finding himself cl0yeu
/ with sweots, he discovers that ne IS al (.
very solemn feast indeed from "hich an
I trlning creatures are resOlutely smut out
Bread and water. ana httc WINE ini
| the hearts sake. and these are 10 u,
/ taken gravely as becomes those VINO ave
I In the presence or the highest saSFiie'
/ that love can make Tor loves sake
! The story is tonic, ana we pity thos,
who having read Il. do not 90 about
their business thrilled, exalted. and en-