4 MAY 1956, Page 31

.': ( A/IAN AND A HALF. By Frederick Gamble. (Arthur Barker,

Irish d.) Benders spin the plot, too, in this (I think) Northern , tale of the good-fellow barfly who may or may not have killed "roan acquaintance in the course of an alcoholic evening.

The more doubt and fear in his own mind the more benders. Seediness and suspense both first rate—nearly sent me, on a bender of my own.