19 JUNE 1926, Page 28

THE BEST SHORT - STORIES OF 1925; AMERICAN. Edited by Edward

J. O'Brien. (Cape. 7s. 6d.)

THE present collection consists almost entirely of subjective tudies of individual personalities, most of whom are far indeed in their Mental outlook from the optimism and buoyancy which is characteristic of Americans. The book should not be overlooked by any reader who ;wishes to study the ten- dencies of American fiction.