11 FEBRUARY 1928, Page 25

THE BEST SHORT STORIES OF 1927. No. 1.—English (with an

Irish Supplement). No. 2.—American. Edited by Edward J. - O'Brien. (Cape. 7s. 6d. per vol.)—The ancient controversy as to what constitutes a good short story never- has, and never will be, settled. Every reader has his own ideal, but' it is almost universally recognized that the short story should 'possess a certain neatness and roundness of constriction, should not be discursive, and should illustrate someone thesis-either of objective or of psychological interest. If this tbe held a true prescription, far the most satisfactory story in these two volumes is Lennox Robinson's "The Quest." Here a slight objective interest is combined with the account' of. a subtle and -convincing psychological reaction on the part - of the hero of -the sketch, The whole is contained as neatly as' scarab iri a cartouche, and- has a real beginning, deVelop- ment, and end. Truly an admirable production. The other stories in Volume are on a• lower level, though the two sketches, " Hate." (H. H. Bashford) and " Fear " (H. E. Bates) can-both-claim to be a complete exposition of a govern mg emotion. The American volume is wanting in examples of many authors whose names are welcomed in this country. A semi-mystical tale by DuBose Heyward called " The Half- Pint Flask ' tells how a prig goes to study the primitive negroes for the purpose of writing a series of articles on negroid primates. The prospective author offends against an ancient superstition and the negroes evoke .the powerful aid of the spirit Plat-eye, whose revenge, in spite of her absurd name; gives the reader an authentic shudder. Mr. Owen Wister and Mr. Hergesheimer are both represented by specimens of their art which lend distinction to a rather disappointing volume.