6 JUNE 1903, Page 25

Knitters in the Sun. By Algernon Gissing. (Chatto and Windus.

6s.)—This is a very " topsy-turvy " kind of story. Why Mr. Gissing should have made his two heroines—both finely drawn characters and worthy of a happier fate—act as they did passes our comprehension. There are not a few novelists nowa- days who would be better for a little instruction from "the fat- faced curate, Edward Bull," who reproves the perversities of his companion in " Walking to the MaiL" There is plenty of good work in Knitters in the Sun. If Mr. Gissing is not above taking advice, he may please his readers much more in his next venture than he is likely to please them in this.