16 MARCH 1962, Page 16

'THE -HISTORICAL NOVEL'

SIR,—May I answer the question raised by your reviewer in the thoughtful and sympathetic notice of The Historical Novel? The reason why 'the first German edition of 1955 and our English edition follow the original 1937 text has been given by Georg Lukacs: the work (on zstheties) on which he is engaged does not permit him to devote the time to bringing the earlier work up to date. The preface to our ,edition was also printed in accordance with Professor Lukdes's exact instructions, and I am glad to be able to reassure your readers that there is nothing sinister in its identity with the German preface.