The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-24
ssThc DnnEcrous AEr.r

BY Karin Michaells. WIN an lntro-
duction by Marcel Provost John Lane
Co, of New York and London sl.2o.
get
This novel is supposed TO emoody
letters and fragments from a woman's
diary II has been widely read and
exploited. and appears in America Is
translation from the Danish of Karin
Bichaelis.
The Fortnighuy Review is quoted
&c pronouncins 1t "a human document
Of supreme value. book which cam
mot be read WITHOUT emotion" In an
admirable Introduction Marcel Provost
hays: Karin Michaelis has been in
epired to write a study of womankind
without trying 10 interpose between
Der thought and the paper the mind
and vision of q man. The outcome Is
astonishing I have said that the con-
Rtruction OF the novel is solid. but no
man could have built IL UP in that
way. II moves 20 definite goal by
sure path. yet Its style is variable like
che ways of every woman. even If she
be completely mistress OF herself.
Thus her flights of thought like car
Sisr-pigeons never fail TO reach their
end, although at times they circle and
hover ms though troubled ny some mys-
terious tendency or temptation to turn
back from their course.
The Dangerous Age" on which the
experiences related in the book are
based. is not the period of extreme
youth and inexpcrlence, but the dreary
waste of middle age. when a woman
feels her charms waning one by one
and the shadow of approaching old
age. isolation and death begin. to eN-
arcise their haleful influence in rob-
bling her days of joy and brightness.
1t is difficult for an American woman
TO Judge justly such hook as THE
Dangerous Age" because her point of
view Is so radically different from that
Of such a Danish woman as Elsie Lind
Their is revealed 10 be through her
letters and her diary contidences. y
perfectly sincere and candid feminine
confession has probably never been
written, never, Will be written. But
every now and again a Marie Bash
kirtsen or Marie-Claire gives to the
world something's that bears a coun-
terfett resemblance 10 such confes-
sion. and the world Is greatly moved
thereby.
book that contained truthful
record OF human soul. II written.
would revolt. not please. The half
novel. halfdialoEue, half journal"
type which was inaugurated by Marie
Bashkrtseff has been followed in sew
eral Instances since. In all such novels
these aud as The Dangerous Age"
note OF intense egotism is struck
and awakens curiosity by Its abnor-
mality. Karin Nlchaelis increases
this ahnormality by physiological
end psychological element. which takes
her book step further in self-analy-
SIS than Its predecessors
The picture that Is drawn In The
Dangerous Age" of woman hiding
herself in lonely villa, apart from
her husband and her world, that the
decay of her youth and beauty may
not be seen and commented upon. is
piriful indeed The resentment over
the readiness with which husband,
lover and the world can forget is
tragical.
But Scandinavian and American wo-
manhood. as has been said. are far
apart As to their planes of thought and
their attitude toward men. The book
is well constructed and we'll written
however. and it voices fear which
women of all countries have felt
ottener in secret than otherwise-a fear
OF the future and of the time when
Love Will pass them by in forgetful-
ness, leaving them stranded and for
lorn.
"Whcn Woman Proposcs"
ny Anne Warner. Illustrated by
.har!otte Weber Ditzler. Decorated
nN Theodore b, Hapgood. Little.
Srown Company. OF Boston sls5
net ''-'
The author of The Rejuvcnation of
Aunt Mary" needs no recommenda,,on
TO reading public that Ahead.
knows her individuality and charm in
authorship. AIN III
she declares that the scene Of THE
ia.est h2ok is laid lin the Land of No
mere, an uscharted empire of the
".ure Although she says further
more that she has developed the soIu
non OF familiar woes through the old
htory of the older methods of a vo-
man loving with all her heart she has
ucaR' according to her custom, with
the question in an altogether original
and Independent manner
her DOCK is not crowded with many
PorPieN!ng theories or fancies. 4
re" young girl in II is a widow with
an ideal chapnron, welded during
her school days to an oxceedinriS
Hea!thy old man who left her ali nf
Ms money ' %
The youthful widow falls in love
SI.h an army officer. captain who
zoe? not consider his pay sufficient,
70 mink of matrimony. who is TOO
TO marry wealthy woman.
hut when woman pronoses 10
marry man in spite Of his well.in,
tentioned scruples. and invokos extra
otalnary measures which influence !,
"hoie nation to aid her In a,tain,ng
her end that end is clearly fore
gone matter.
IN It's makeup tho book with its
aor pictures and dainty decorative
work, is as artistic ms II Is c,evar
It's bright breeziness and its refresh.
ing "hoiesomcness may be added TO
ITS list Of attractions
"Tbe Conntc,."
hy David Graham Phillips u An
pletoh & COMPANY. Of New York Il a.
IN order to remove impressions -