The Washington times., 1922-10-08
'0ARlOYLES'SURE
to- be WIDELY
DISCUSSED
Ben Hsoht's Nov Novel Deals
HarshIy Wlth Retcrmsrs.
Hypocritss. and Plain Hu-
tman Beings.
Ry AsIES KENDRICK.

( hsSf8ti, Rch AcSus. tSsAtcus sAs-~~
his lair in Chicago, where he no
doubt derived considerable 4 glee
watching the righteous rid them
of the carcass without befoul-
ing their hands. The tumult and
the shouting died away. the
corpse was dragged out by the
city scavenger, the Moslem rites
Of publication were performed.
and . semblance Of. quiet re-
stored when we behold him once
more In the market place, rend-
ing his garments and crying
unto Allah.
This time he brings with him Q
work entitled .''Gargoyles" Boni
3 Liveright). which starts threat
eningiy enough with two youths
emerging on q Sabbath morn from
= hordello. One Of these II Basine.
th> hero Of the story. who It II
but fair TO state eventually be-
comes . respectable citizen and
leader Of reform movements. No
doubt. such things have happened
--often. We would say.
The story. briefly. takes Basine
and his companion. Keesan. to the
forinerss home for Sunday morning
brsskfast. Washing away the out
ward signs Of their nights revel-
risss they sit down to. table with
NBasine's mother and sisters. Here
we meet the sex-curious. sister.
Fanny. who extorts from Keesan
the story, Of the nights dshauch.
deriving Immense satisfsction from
the repentant sinners ayowal that
he win err no more. She comforts
him to the point OF exchanging
many burning kisses. n,
Later In the day. most Of the
prominent figures In the, book are
introduced. They are paraded be-
fore the reader In q few startlingiy
vivid paragraphs. and We At once
know the worst Of each. It ID Q
cynical recital. but there ID no do
nyins tn effectiveness. i,
OF these people. Henrietta Smith
a. abput to wed the popular novel
1st. Aubrey Gilchrist. Henrietta
had, been s,thildhood sweetheart Of
Basine, and this Sabbath he re-
SCENTS her engagement to Aubrey.
Basipe experiments with Henri
etta's affections. and finally wins
from her q promise Of marriage.
He weds hsr. settles down to work.
and achieves success az lawyer
ana politician. He has visions Of
. Ssnstorships ., u.
Basine becomes States attorney.
He becomes. also. the champion Of
the people, and. az q means Of CEN
tsring popular interest upon him
self, instigstes 4 vice crusade.
He iss To- clean up an the resorts,
Investigate white slavery. ASCERTAIN
the relations between pay of de-
pastment store clerks and prostitu.
tien. apd, In n'short. 90 through all
thsT plsesurahie. snoatinss of the
nrofsssiorsl Seformer. Mr.. Hecht
sdmires reformers no more than we
do,. and the. recital caused Us many
inoments. Of Obscene pleasure.
Meanwhile. the other people are
ieaeins' mare or less hectic lives.
Fsnny soon tires Of Keesan snd
finsily ,Snsrries Aubrey. And the
psxt high light in, her career 10 her
discovery by an acquaintance -
she 10 coming frpm hotel in COM
pany with q gentlsuian not her
husband. who ID carrying the con-
venient empty suitcase. So the
balance Of her days are spent in
an agony Of terror and the pay.
msnt Of blaokmaii. .'...
There h, no denying that Ben
Hecht has q disquieting effect upon
his readers. His whole attitude is
enc Of challenge; he n impatient.
petulant, scornfui. He prizes off
the skuiltops OF his people, that
We may zee the wheels 90 round.
Newer character makes q move
but Ben reveals each process Of
Thought leading up to It. Many Of
these thoughts are not nice.
Well. the book win undoubtedly
appear startling to many people.
II win. no doubt, be roundly con-
dernned by some. But, 30 contrary
sreSEe by nature, and 20 much are
we in sympathy with Mr. Hecht's
diatribes against Puritanism. Peck
sniffery and pruriency, that. even
~ we enjoyed ERIK Dorm" 20 did
we derive a great deal Of pleasure
from ''uargoyles."
THE CATS PAW" by Na-<.
ta1is Summer Lincoln. New
York; d. Appleton . CO.. ti.71
"A 8 n writer OF popular mystery
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