Evening star., 1932-05-15
x q.

lusty with life and longing But, having gone
to a new place to work, Luther could not know
that Sarah, in her madness, would write him
letters. But she did. And these fell into the
hands of John Sprouse's brother. brother
who, meanwhile. had ruined the little daughter
of the Negro. But that was different. That
was all right, as it had been from the beginning.
The end Of the story is plain Luther was
lynched of course.
The drama of life in one Of its piercing
aspects and a fine artist came together here
As result phase of life, direct in descent
from an earlier American institution, lifts
bodily into the heart and mind of readers
keen to fiction as a reflection of actuality as
1t exists here CT there. A first novel of such
integrity and power that its successor Is
already anticipated with esgerness.
ADVENTURES OF NOVELIST By Ger
trude Atherton. New York: Horace Live
right, Inc.
A GALLANT and outright story reminis-
cent journey that covers, broadly the
making of this particular novelists career.
Others of the same calling will, naturally, be
more keenly interested in these adventures than
the general reader is likely to be- The book Is
crowded with familiar names of writer's, artists.
poets, politicians and statesmen who have at
many a point along this Gertrude Atehrton way
contributed interest and color to it. The &C.
tual advance, however. the actual work that has
brought recognition and support to this novelist
both in America and England belong to her
alone courageous and indefatigable woman
who has earned her own success The method
of Mrs. Atherton has been, generally the mans
method. A Straight-acroSS taking of what she
wanted, not the usual woman's more circuitous
route toward the desired end. As, for instance,
when . very young girl she eloped with her
mothers suitor. She wanted him. So she
took him and made of with him. Nothing is
made Of this episode in the story except the
frank admission. No apology no excuse, no ex-
plantation Mention OF this is merely to indi-
cate the spirit Of the whole. Mrs. Athertou
has no regrets about this or that to draw from
these many adventures. She Is simply review
ing them as her own particular history In the
gaining Of literary career. They are . part
OF her, part Of the material with which she
built. 1t is such identity between herself and
her work that gives . wider value to these
adventures" than they could. otherwise secure
From the Pacific Coast, to London, to New
York, to Washington, the recollections run,
each point contributing q fresh departure
toward some new goal toward some working
material for this novel or that one. And in
each Of these centers people of note gather
around this virile and dauntless woman going
about her own business. Now and then con-
facts are not Of the happiest for here Is one
who stands solidly for what she calls her
rights and due. As q rule she maintains these.
To general readers, those outside the craft,
here Is the story Of . successful woman who
has earned her own rewards with hard work,
patience courage and the denial Of defeat.
Men. I'm told, are not 30 favorable to these
adventures" Is the women writer's are. They
wouldn't be. The story Is something of tres
pass upon the masculine method upon the do
main Of the male