STORM PASSAGE.*
TECERE is a great deal more movement in this book than in Mr. James Hilton's first novel, Catherine Herself. The author's standpoint in Storm Passage is frankly cynical, but the history of " Alice Anne's " connexion with John Wilson and the " Patent Medicine Scandal " makes entertaining reading. It may be said to be a little reminiscent of Tono Bungay, but as it is only an episode in the novel this similarity of theme need not be insisted on. The story of Alice Anne's subsequent marriage to Manley's Furniture Stores—for emphatically she marries not Manley the man but his business—is also well told, and, though it is impossible to believe in the escape of John Wilson from prison and his elopement with Alice Anne, the final chapters of the book are exciting reading. The best piece of work is the portrait of the extraordinarily efficient heroine, who, however, seems to have no code of conduct whatever. The book is amusing, and the complete irresponsibility of most of the characters makes it appear unmoral rather than immoral.
Previous page
