Evening star., 1933-06-06
NEW BOOKS
AT RANDOM
Margaret Cermond.

M0ISQISI CeFUtOnQs
GREAT GERMAN SHORT NOVELS
AND STORIES; An Anthology.
Edited by Bennett A. Cert. New
York: The Modern Library.
Some years ago-so many in fact
that the editor of this volume faceti-
ously places the beginning back in the
days when goats roamed around on
the empty lots on Park avenue-a con-
tract was made with an eminent pub
Usher and editor for a collection of
short novels and stories by representa-
tive German authors for publication in
the Modern Library series. The gen.
tleman was confident of his ability to
make such a selection from the great
mass of German literature and to pre-
pare the work for reprinting, but many
months went by, even years, before he
submitted manuscript consisting of
ten stories, only six of which proved to
be worthy of the purpose for which
they were chosen. Meanwhile a new
generation Of German authors had be-
come well known.
Being both disappointed and dissat-
isfled with the results produced by the
man to whom the job had been en-
trusted, Mr.. Cert undertook to COM
plete the work himself and all but the
original six of the fifteen stories In this
anthology are the result Of his labors.
He gives credit to his predecessor for
the half dozen, but explains that they
were certain to have been included by
any person making such a collection,
and that he therefore publishes the
work as his own.
The task Of compiling an anthology
q q
undertake the actual selections after
all the possibly adaptable stories have
been collected is an even greater bur-
den, particularly SO in the case Of the
physical limitations which control a
Modern Library volume. But the re-
suit Of the difficult work which the
editor set himself to do Is an achieve
ment well beyond most anthologies
and he should feel well rewarded for
his labor.
In the fifteen stories every phase of
German literature is represented. Be
ginning with THE Sorrows of Wer-
ther,'" by Johann Wolfgang Won Goethe,
which appeared in 1774, the volume
includes. in the chronological order of
the births OF the authors, THE Sport
Of Destiny" by Johann Won Schiller:
The History Of Krakatuk," by Ernst
T. w. Hoffman,; "Hansel and Gretel''
and Cinderella" by Jacob Ludwie
Grimm and wilhelm Kari Grimm:
Gods in Exile" by Heinrich Heine;
immense" by Theodor w. Storm
THE Naughty Saint Vitalis." by Gott-
fried Keller; THE New Years Eve
Confession" by Hermann Sudermann
The Fate Of the Baron" by Arthur
Schnitzler; "Flagman Thiel," by Ger
mart Hauptmann; "Lukardis," by Jacob
Massermann; Death in Venice" BY
Thomas Mann; "Amok," by Stefan
zweig, and THE Parcel" by Arnold
Zweig.
A good many Of the stories are by
contemporary writer's, but each one of
them reveals a distinctive quality of
mind, OF material, and of literary style
ana development. From the first story,
which gives an intimate picture Of the
profound sentimentality of the German
soul, through the century-old tales of
folklore, those which reveal the strict
sense Of morality of the German race,
and those dwelling upon the lighter
phases Of the German nature, q con-
sistent and comprehensive representa-
ton Of a nations literature prevails.
There may be some disappointment
that number Of authors whose names
are numbered among the best have been
omitted. But 1t must be remembered
that this is collection of short novels
and tales, and that many of the il
lustrious German authors did not en-
ploy these mediums Of expression. Also
the German conception Of q short story
differs by several thousands of words
from the American point Of view. The
anthology as 1t stands Is a noteworthy
achievement. fulfilling entirely the pur-
pose for which 1t was compiled-to give
the reader q sound and basic UNDER
standing and impression Of the whole
Of German literature.
k*
PENGUIN ISLAND. BY Anatole France.
New York: The Modern Library.
Another recent addition to the pop
ular Modern Library series Is Anatole
Frances highly amusing, delicately
satiric and profoundly political story Of
Penguin Island. One Of the most COM
author was his ability to strip from the
social, political and religious order of
the time at hand all of the veneer and
gilt with which 1t was clothed and to
leave bare to the naked eye all Of the
hypocrisy and immortality upon which
institutionalism was based. Yet his
expositions were accomplished in so
subtle a manner and with such lack Of
personal animosity that the victims of
his irony and his extraordinary humor
suffered no acute pain.
In Penguin Island" as In several
other books, the author adopted the
historical form. He was a deep student
Of history, and he possessed the very
enviable ability to see behind the re-
corded word and to question the ac-
ceptance Of political and social develop
ment as an index Of a steady progress
toward more perfect human relations.
Even though clothed In legendary garb,
Penguin Island Is one Of the most force
ful satires on the social, political and
religious custmos of France that has
ever been written.
Creating an exceptionally holy man,
the author next creates q devil to
tempt him. Through his great virtue
and saintliness the holy one Is given
the power to work magic. He sum
mons ship, and great ship Of stone
appears. When the devil tempts him
to travel to a far-of island, the stone
ship carries him thither. Having
reached the venerable age Of ninety
seven years, the holy man Is naturally
the victim Of considerably dimmed
vision and Is, therefore, unable to see
distinctly the inhabitants Of the island
upon which he finds himself. They
were, however, well behaved and re-
spectful citizens and, after due instruc-
tions and guidance in the ways Of holi-
ness the good man baptizes his new
charges in the faith which he repre-
sents. BY and by messenger from
heaven arrives to inform him that his
newly acquired followers are not men,
but penguins. He has done such noble
work, however, that the good angel
endows him with the power to turn
his beloved penguins into men.
These men were queer Of stature, to
be sure, and of slow mentality, but
they were willing followers and they
loved their master. Finally the time
came when the holy man must return
to his home land, but it was heart
breaking thought to leave these de-
voted charges on their isolated island
Whereupon he decides to take the
island with him, and the great stone
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