The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-02


 batter or not.
 "Marotz," by John Ayscough. tG. P.
 Putnam's Sons.)
 One of the most interesting, well writ ten novels sent forth in long time is new production by Mir. John Ayscouch, called "Marotz.'' The novel deals with 6icilian life, gentle and simple, and the author presents his characters in a some what new field, different from and more attractive than most writers who have attempted to handle Sicily.
 The heroine of this story, "Marotz, was the daughter of a titled Sicilian family, a singularly lovely woman, pure without coldness and one whose religious nature could not blind her eyes to the human appeal of the world and of love.
 Marotz,' when the novel opens, was young, beautiful girl, who had never seen anything of the world, when she visited large city and attended a grand ball given to the Queen and King of her coun- try. At that time she begins to wonder what life means to her and Just how she must endeavor to work out her des- tiny. She begins this attempt first by en- tering a convent as postulant, whereaf the work of the nuns chiefly consists of contemplation" in standardization to the more active Sisters of Charity of the
 
 main in Contemplation" The descrip- tions which MT. Ayscough gives of the life in that convent allows his readers to judge more fairly than they otherwise could do of the question of the justice and reasonableness of contemplation" in re- ligion-that is to say, those people who are not members of the Catholic church. While the novel is thoroughly filled with discussions not arguments one way or eta nfu nf Ina life, effects and thoughts of Catholics In Italian countries, it is a most interesting. novel. The author in presenting his novel to the public feared that the at mosphere of Catholicism would endanger the books B success--but he was very much mistaken. for it Is one of the most inter- esting, strong, clean, delightful novels sent forth in a long time.
 The novel deals, of course with Ma rotz's life. and her sorrows and happiness in the end, but the side lights on the minor, but not unimportant characters. stand out, the characters move and have their being in the book; 1t Is most worthy production all the way through.
 Marotz has a hard time of it before she finds her happiness, first through an un- fortunate marriages; the trouble incident to her separation from her dissolute hus- band, her sons escapades and finally the murder or her nuSDdnui WHICH Hiuiuef allows Marotz in time to marry her lover, who should have been her husband in the first place.
 "Marotz" as a present day novel will deservedly stand out from amidst the mass of easy-going, badly put together productions of fiction. It is novel, so delightfully."- well written. so strong. so clean and entertaining, that this depart ment only does its duty In heartily recom- mending it to all lovers of the good in present day literature.
 Halfway House." by Maurice Hewlett.
 (Chas. Scribners Sons)
 This reviewer wishes to state that in the review of Halfway House. appear ing in The Age-Herald on July 26, through a typographical error, 1t was made to ap- pear that MT. Hewlett "dd not excel' in describing his heroines It should have read, of course, in that sentence, "he does so excel" for that Is one thing in which MT. Hewlett Is a postmaster. Halfway House" Is one of the most pleasing books