The Prisoner of Zenda. By Anthony Hope. (Arrowsmith, Bristol.)—Mr. "Anthony
Hope" has taken a new departure in this novel. We do not know that we like him better in this new style than we did in the old ; on the whole, we are inclined to think that we like him somewhat less. Still, we welcome his book as a proof of his versatility. If he is to be a novelist of the first class—and we see no reason why he should not—he must have more than one strong point. The Prisoner of Zenda has a complicated plot worked out to the end with very considerable skill. The course of action wants, perhaps, a too close attention on the reader's part to follow. Some people, it is true, like a tale of this kind; but the majority are better pleased when they can take their enjoyment without any effort. This drawback allowed for, the story is one of considerable merit. To criticise it in further detail would require a discussion of the plot ; most novels of the day would suffer no loss from such discussion, but this is not one of that sort. We shall content ourselves with commending The Prisoner of Zenda to our readers, though if they know "Half a Hero" and "A Change of Air," they will not wait for our advice before renewing their acquaintance with the work of this very clever novelist.
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