A Dull Girl's Destiny. By Mrs. Baillie-Reynolds. (Hutchinson and Co.
6s.)—Mrs. Baillie-Reynolds's novels are always interest- ing, and though the plot of A Dull Girl's Destiny invites criticism, still the book is pleasant and entertaining reading. As usual when a personage in a book achieves very remark- able artistic success, the reader will feel the strain on his faith. In this instance tha heroine, Avril Eden, combines the rale of the "dull girl" of the title with success in literature of a truly remarkable kind. Her books, written under a strict incognito, are considered worthy to be ranked with the great classics of fiction. Though the critic, will be content to be credulous for the sake of the story, it is just a little difficult to believe that this particular girl could have had sufficient experi- ence of life to write such books as are described in the novel. The classic instance of Charlotte Brontfi of course comes to mind ; but, after all, Charlotte Bronte's life among the Yorkshire moors was more inspiring than any life lived in a middle-class family in the suburbs could possibly be. However, the interest of the story centres, not in the question whether the heroine could have written the novels of Jane Smith, but in the description of contem- porary manners and the amusing sketches which the author gives us of her dramatis personae. The book is perhaps a little slighter than Mrs. Baillie-Reynolds's earlier novels, but nevertheless it will provide an hour or two's excellent enter- tainment.
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