29 APRIL 1960, Page 14

His novel, in these days, is also rather brave. To

attack the Easter marchers is becoming like assailing motherhood or Christmas. To ask them to put by their banners denouncing death and sin to discuss contingencies, methods and safeguards, is to be trampled as a foe to virtue. Mr. Fitz- Gibbon can be forgiven if he stoops to occasional party cattiness and polemic in demanding that the unilateral disarmers brand their product accur- ately: as the choice of one gigantic risk instead of another. Only love the beloved republic, as Forster says, deserves three cheers. Meanwhile, all praise to Mr. FitzGibbon for demonstrating that the art of both fiction and politics lies in answering the same recurring question. And then? And then? And then?

As a reminder how incalculable Russia is comes The Trial Begins, the long short story by 'Abram Tertz,' smuggled out and published last year in a French magazine and Encounter. It is exciting and cryptic as a communication by ouija

LONDON

by 1 VO R

BROWN

by /10h BICtilcA"

Just out !

An affectionate, humorous, ob- servant apprecia- tion of this city of enchantment