New-York tribune., 1906-11-21

The Italian Renaissance Is a never falling
source Of inspiration 10 the modern rornancAr
In recent years it has proved Of tremendous
value TO at least one writer. Mr. Maurice Hew
letts deservedly great reputation dates from his
brilliant exploitation Of Renaissance motives
Only the other day Mr.. Bernard Capes. who had
previously done great deal OF clever work
struck a new note in "A Jay Of Italy" and
thereby much strengthened his position Now
we have TO greet newcomer in the field Miss
Marjorie Bowen. the author Of THE Viper of
Milan: A Romance Of Lorrbardy" CNdcClure
Phillips & Coz This has been hailed IN
England with more cordiality than discretion
as the first novel Of girl still in her teens, and
in overwrought publishers preface" y is
darkIy limited that have here a work of
genius. we hear much to-day" says this Iaud-
atory document "of the death Of the historical
novel $ a form Of art. So often as
there shall appear q writer like Miss Bowen
capable Of properly appraislng the past, not as
q shop stuffed with strange articles Of attire and
antiquities. but a splendid stage set for the
performance Of q moving living drama just so
often viii the historical novel renew its attrac-
ton over the minds OF all men in new crea-
tons" Neither Mr.. Hewlett nor Mr.. Capes need
look 10 his laurels. "The Viper of Milan" is very
clever and interesting, but It is not what the
publishers preface calls It, "an extraordinary
book"
It is a book consisting Of a succession Of vivid
moving pictures, OF rather crudely melodramatic
episodes linked together by the exigencies Of a
more or less ingeniously constructed plot The
author plays ducks and brakes with recorded
history Her Clan Galeazo Maria Viconti
Duke Of Milan, is queer pGstiche in which we
recognize dirnly, traits suggesting this or that
despot OF the time. Something Of Ezzelino da
Romano IS suggested by this figure; not so
+l,a Of
the Renaissance. Indeed. the reader who knows
his Milan and his Verona is taken aback by the
ease with which Miss Bowen arrdnges the his
tories of those towns to suit herself Her Mas
tino della Scala as she paints him, would never
recognize himself in the portrait. OF course
the liberties taken with historic names would be
OF trifing moment if the result. as a whole, were
rnasterly but the truth is that The Viper OF
Milan" while absorbing as a sensational mar
rative is rather thin in substance. Miss Bowen
has no true grip on character. Her personages
are drawn from the outside. She shows no more
insight into human nature. no more faculty for
axing e. fictitious character live than would
expect from any intelligent clever manipulation
of the stuff lying ready TO hand in the old Ital
ian chronicles IT IS. perhaps, only by mere
slip that Viscontis secretary is credited on
mage % with "a cramped mean writing and
than on page 73 with clear. good hand" Yet
the detail is really significant OF an immaturtty
which marks the tale throughout.
Miss Bowen demonstrates in this novel that
she has the narrative gift She knows how 10
rouse the readers interest and Keep MIN IN
state of lively curiosity to the upshot Of the
,ybolA business II she continues she has
bae,,,n she may go far-though it is to be hoped
that she will pursue her historical studies before
She again puts pen to paper. In the mean time
the hone may also be expressed that her ad-
visers and critics may see the unwisdom Of ap-
plauding a promising talent In terms behttins
sterling accomplishment The modern tendency
To throw ell critical standards overheard, in the