7 NOVEMBER 1896, Page 13

A Crown of Straw. By Allen Upward. (Chatto and Windus.)—

What will happen to a King who becomes a convinced Republican or, we might say, Socialist ? That is the interesting question which the author of this very clever novel puts and answers. The story has a curious relation to fact, a relation which the writer manages, it seems to us, with great skill. We cannot say that King Maximilian is a transcript from any real human figure ; yet there is a strong resemblance. Both resemblances and differences are so contrived as to heighten the interest. About the Kaiser there is less disguise. He is almost a photograph, and a very living one too. Altogether the Crown of Straw is a notable book, which will increase the reputation of the author, already con- siderable.