The Key West citizen., 1952-11-15
KY Books
BY A. de T. Gingras
GAN ANTHOLOGY OF FAMOUS

CAN ANTHOLOGY OF FAMOUS
BRITISH STORIES edited by Ben
nett Cert and Henry C. Moriarty,
collection of short stories publish
ed by Modern Library, New York
City, 1898 pages.)
Gift books become increasingly
important with Christmas only a
flip of calendar away.
And when in doubt, buy an antho-
logy!
1t is like one of those packages
prepared for the consumption of
soldier overseas whose personal
tastes are little vague to the gift
giver. If the recipient doesn't like
the timed sardines, he'll like the
grape jelly. If he doesn't like the
salted almonds, he'll like the
Christmas candy. And what he
doesn't like, somebody else dipping
into the package will enjoy.
Questions may always be raised
about an anthology under any title.
Why didn't the book contain this
favorite or that? But the authors
are the selectors of what goes into
the package. They may agree that
some timed fish or jelly should be
included, but they choose the kind.
A book of British short stories
should include Katherine Mans
field, but whether the chosen Life
of Ma Parker" or her short story
classic "The Garden Party" are
in the volume is up to the antho-
logiStS.
And the success of an antho-
Iogy depends not only on the taste
Of the anthologist, but also on the
variety in the selection. Bennett
Cert and Henry C. Moriarty have
long been immersed in the liter
ary trade, and the two authors have
managed to get together a collect
ion of so stories which would make
a thoroughly satisfactory gift for
almost any reading adult.
If the reader doesn't like to re-
capture the delicacy of spring un.
der the "Apple Tree" of John Gals
worthy, he may 60 with F. Bulwer-
Lytton into a London house in the
grip of horror, in his "House and
the Brain" If he is a sentimental
fellow, he. may want to renew his
acquaintance with Tiny Tim and
Scrooge in Dickens " Christmas
Carol" Or he may want to go back
into the ancient April of English
prose and read Godfrey Chaucer's
''Pardoner's Tale"
The Victorians are we'll repre-
Sented - Anthony Trollope with
"Malachi'S Cave" Thackeray with
Sultan Stork" and James Barrie
with 'The Courting of T'nowhead's
Bell" A dozen or so of the more
recent prose writers are also there,
including James Joyce in The
Dead" and Evelyn Waugh in his
deeply moving Belle Fleace Gave
a Party"
! Some of the stories like Joseph
Conrad's Youth" have taken on
astrological contours, so accuSt-
omedare they to appearing in col
lections. But most OF the selections
have not. The authors have at
tempted to represent the import
ant British writers who have con-
tributed to the short story, but
often with stories critically super
iof 10 the better known ones.
GUEST REVIEW
by P. Farwell
| (THE SILVER CHALICE by Ttom.
as Costain, historical novel pub
lShed by Doubleday Company, New
York City. 1888 pageS.l
This widely acclaimed arrival
has recently burst upon the literary
scene, an historical novel Of deep
portent according 10 its blurb. a
! phenomenal book by a phenomen-
al author, Thomas CoStain.
For Mr.. CoStain seems to be sd-
mittedly neither 3 trained novel
ist, nor = trained historian He in
directly says as much in his Own
retieent comments on his employ
ment prior 10 his admittanee 10 the
charmed circle Of phenomenal
sales. However, the admission is
buried in the hiurhS and calcula.
ted TO endesr as wei as Ciseon-
ee.S A lack Of professional pre-.
pSrati0n. according 20 the jacket