21 AUGUST 1897, Page 25

Against the Odds. By Frances Hane. (Jarrold and Sons )—

The author tells in a powerful way the struggle of a young man who has disgraced himself and his family, to recover his position. The " odds "against which he has to contend are very heavy, and all the while he knows, though honour keeps him back from letting others know, that in the original offence he has been more sinned against than sinning. As good a part of the book as any is to be found in the sketches of Salvation Army officers. The " Major " especially is a quite admirable figure. Nor must a word of praise for the character of Ina, who may be called the heroine, be omitted. The story of how she gets her experience, and how she profits by it, is truly fine.