GENTLEMAN BILL : a Boxing Story. By Philip Mac- Donald.
(Herbert Jenkins. 2s. ad.) A race, a fight, or a game of poker are not literature, but we enjoy them. Gentleman Bill is in the same category. It produces no aesthetic emotions, but is as honestly exciting as a book can be. Its healthiness is refreshing ; its stupidity is delightful. Mr. MacDonald heartily dislikes all cranks and Germans, and ingenuously worships strength and pluck. We like to believe that his book, rather than the sentimental, pseudo-literary twaddle that is usually held up as popular literature, expresses " the average man." His style is tho- roughly inoffensive, and his parodies of the sporting Press are exquisite. Only in his dialogues does he fall badly. Why " the young gentry " are invariably repregented (out of literature) as talking in an impossible, vulgar and facetious manner it is difficult to understand. " Gentleman Bill " is so delightful when he keeps quiet. His French girl's dialect.
too, is depressing. Of course, the paces de resistance in the novel are the fights. The last great battle—such a battle as can only be dreamed of—holds the attention almost painfully. We know that the hero will win. Why should a hero not win —out of literature ? " In real life " we hate the man we have backed not to win, and the emotions of Mr. MacDonald's book are those of real life." The suspense is as to exactly when and how the hero will win. Gentleman Bill is a splendid story for boys, for the jaded littirateur, and for the "average man."
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