6 DECEMBER 1935, Page 34

SOREN KIERKEGAARD By John A. Bain Dr. Rain's book on

Kierkegaard's life and religious teaching (Student Christian Movement Press, 4s. Bd.) follows on the heels of the hook 'on the same subject by Mr. E. • L. Allen reviewed in these columns a few weeks ago. Although' less inclined to treat Kierkegaard as a psychological curiosity, it is not to be preferred to the earlier volume, since it is-much less clear in its presentation of Kierkegatird's thought and devotes too much of its space in proportion to its restricted length to the attempt to laud Hegel at the expense Of Kierkegaard. But Mr. Allen's book had its shortcomings fob, and probably the wisest course for a reader wishing for an introduction in English to the work of this important philotio- pher Would be. to read both books. They provide wino interesting points of comparison and antithesis.