The Jealous Goddess. By Madge Mears. (John Lane. 6s.) —This
novel seems to be Miss klears's first contribution to fiction ; we rather hope it is, for good and bad are so mingled in it that it would be pleasant to attribute to inexperience the faults which are marring admirable work. They are, for the most part, difficult to analyse, just trivial faults of stage. management, which impart a vexations sense of restlessness to the book. Three successive chapters, for example, begin with direct mention of the journal known as the "Utter Limit," and the balance of the latter part is sadly conven- tional. Our only serious quarrel with the writer concerns the personality of the heroine. Nom was an art student, who charmed poor Tommy by her healthy and simple views, her sexless friendships, her willingness to marry without fuss or delay. Well and good; but we are asked to believe that, when the baby came, she was as unsympathetic and self-conscious, as untouched by primitive happiness, as the most degenerate young modern. A great deal of inconsistency may doubtless be defended, but inconsistency of fundamental characteristics looks dangerously like faulty characterization. We have no wish, however, to discourage Miss Mears, for she bas a quick, vivid mind and a genuine sense of humour; much of the book is delightful, and all is full of hope for future work.
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