MORAL—AND LITERARY—STANDARDS
SI R,—A recent review in the Spectator of a novel , that was highly recommended by it induced me to obtain and read this. I do not propose to give the book an advertisement by quoting its name or the author, but if it in any way represents the present-day life in London, it reveals a deplorable condition. The themes of the novel include murder, adultery, theft, treachery and sexual perversion, and the whole story is written with a cynickm that is nauseating.
Reading it raises the whole question of the common attitude of many of our present-day writers. Our post- war literature has in many cases a neurotic note that makes one wonder whether the younger generation is looking out on life with sanity.
There appears to be no standard which governs the general outlook, while the steady flow of books dealing with crime and other perversions is pub- lished in increasing number. This attitude has without doubt been cultivated by the cynicism following The last war, but if it truly represents life as it exists today, the future for this country is disturbing indeed. --Yours faithfully, ANGUS WATSON Whitewell, Adderstone Cre.i'cent, Newcastle upon Tyne 2
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