7 AUGUST 1920, Page 23

The Lite.e. Soul. By Elinor Mordamit. (Hutchinson. 8s. 6d. net.)—An

interesting psychological study, the subject of which is the character of the hero, Charles Hovland, whose self- absorption never varies through good and evil fortune. The reader will find some difficulty in believing in Hoyland's imposition of his personality on his pupil, Anthony Clayton. The portion of the book in which the scene is laid in the Peak region of Derbyshire is excellent reading, and the description of the surroundings picturesque and attractive. The author has very cleverly conveyed the mysterious charm of the district The reader, however, will not be able to help feeling that the accidental death of Hoyland from tetanus provides rather too easy a way out of the difficulties to which his presence at Ox Lee has given rise.