Toles of Hofmann. Retold by Cyril Falls. (Chatto and Windus,
6s. net.)—Mr. Falls has made a pleasant book out of the stories which form the basis of Offenbach's Conies d'iroffmann. He has written an introduction in praise of Hoffmann's abilities, and deprecating the general opinion that a drunken craziness was the most conspicuous part of the man. We have the shadowy story of Stella at the beginning and the end, and the main part of the book is taken up with the stories of the Doll, of Giulietta, and of Antonia. Certainly they are good short stories, and the weird or supernatural is very cunningly introduced. Since so much turns, especially in the story of Giulietta, "Light of Love," on " gallantry," they are not well suited for children. Even the story of "Die Puppe " is not told in a way which would especially amuse them, excellent as it is. Mr. Falls has done his part well, in spite of some small affectations of language, and Mr. A. B. Simpson provides some adequate coloured pictures, for which be has successfully studied the dress of a century ago.
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