The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-23

Operas" ''How to Prepare for Europe" etc. says that it seems almost a sacri- lego to present merely the framework the dry bones-of those world-famed mas terpieces of diction and character draw ing, Shakespeare's Plays. Yet, he be- lleves correctly that for the right under standing and enjoyment, it is useful to disentangle the often intricate and con- fused substructures upon which the plays are reared, which (with one possible ex- ception) were taken by the poet from earlier plays and transformed and trans figured by his genius.
 MT. Guerber properly believes that to familiarize ones self with the main out lines of the plot or stories and to refresh and clarify one's memory in regard to the characters and action leaves one free to appreciate in full the beauty, charm and force of the complete works, either when seen and heard on the stage, or read and re-read in the study. MT Guerber therefore offers to the student of literature, the theatre-goer and all worshippers at the shrine of the master poet. "stories of shakespeare's 8 Comedies" The stories follow closely the action of the plays, which for the sake of clearnes sand brevity have been left free from criticism,s comment and all save the scantiest quotations. While Charles and Mary Lamb. fin their admirable classic, ''Tales From Shake speare." give the main thread of narra- tive of 20 of the 37 plays, their purpose was not to supply a complete synopsis of the play or characters.
 Owing to it's different scope, MT. H. A. Guerbers version will find a welcome in the world of books.
 It is expected later to offer the 'Trag- edies and Historical Plays" thus complet- ing the list of Ehakespeare's work for the stage.
 "The Lonely Lovers,' by W. c. Newte. (Mitchell Kennerley, Esq)
 This new novel by the author of Spar rows,' is big book. But at times 1t Is most depressing to one with the ner- vous temperament let us say. At times too oftentimes-there come scenes which are erotic to the nth degree. Some read CTS will not care for the very little .'re- spect," they call itfi paid to the privacies of life
 ''The Lonely Lovers is something of a dissection of life, if that designation is permissible. You'll feel that you know all there is to be known. possibly more than some will wish to know of the lovers, by the time the most entertaining book Is finished For the book is most interest ing. MT. Newte does know how to write, how to interest, and one is likely if that one is full-grown physically as well as mentally, forgive an author much who can write, for so few can.
 'The Lonely Lovers' concerns itself with O quarrel between John Pallion and his wife Marjorie, in the course of which out of his life any woman who had erred before her marriage to him. Upon Johns return home after an absence of few hours only since the quarrel, he finds that his wife has gone, leaving behind her a note confessing 8 pre-marital "scrape."~
 John had been up to this time living with Marjorie on a farm. He now r,oves to London hoping to forget on the primrose path of whatnots and dalliance that life was so awfully bad, so cruel to him. He has some experiences which the author describes minutely, but later loses his heart to an innocent girl sud- denly orphaned and impovished The perfect faith that this lovely girl has in Johns goodness purges his thoughts of evil intent and lifts him to the plane of her own belief in him.
 Now, of course John wishes a divorce from Marjorie. but his evil life in Lon- don prevents his action and Marjorie, who still loves him, will not assist him to freedom. Just when everything grows dark to the lovers, not yet lonely, newspaper brings the news to John that Marjorie has been lost at sea and he at once marries Jil. few hours after this marriage John learns that his wife was saved and then in the book follows very trying situation. This reviewer will be forced to let the prospective read or discover how John broke the news to innocent and no less ignorant Jill, left her. protecting the girl from stain, even when she herself reaches the point of utter surrender
 From this point the book grows bit gloomy although always interesting. John cannot live with Jill but has her cared for. Jill developes tuberculosis and de- tails of her illness are gruesome, if beau tifully told. at times.
 As heretofore stated, the book is big one. Persons who claim to keep up should read "The Lonely Lovers," and thank their stars for a relief from mush, even if at times gloom overtakes and bothers.
 Two Boys in the Tropics" by Mrs. Fig
 yelmessy. (The Macmillan Co.)
 This book tells in a very attractive way what happened to two youngsters-- even they did just what every wide-awake American boy would perhaps like to do voyaged to South America in . sailing bark. A hundred and more exciting ad- ventures they had on the journey and after their arrival. They are set forth by Mrs. Figyeimessy in a way which will make the pulse of the reader quick on, be that reader old or young Ono of the aGmirablo features Of tho book la sf13 1x3 4f> N ffs sSs s<-A = +.z 4s2ffH t+