Novels of Everyday Life
SHAKEN BY THE WIND. By Ray Strachey. (Faber and Gwyer. 7s. 6d.)--In religious fanaticism there always lurks the danger of sexual vice ; and around this peril Mr. Strachey has woven his story, which introduces us to a narrow American religious sect of the early nineteenth century. Rufus Hollins, the Prophet of the Lord, with his mesmeric influence upon simple minds, founds a communal colony for the New Believers, and, under a plausible spiritual disguise, institutes disgusting orgies and himself seduces a young girl. Hollins has at least the sincerity of madness. But his example offers an opportunity to the hypocritical Thomas Sonning and others to indulge, under a cloak of religion, in vice for its own sake. There is an exciting plot, some " strong " (though adequately restrained) scenes, and a few well-drawn characters, of whom Sarah Sonning, with her unshakable common sense and patient endurance, is the best. The main defect of a clever and engrossing book is the element of caricature which seems to imply that the exception is the rule.
Previous page
