Olivia L. Carew. By Netts Syrett. (Chatto and Windus. 6s.)
—Miss Syrett's book deals with the terrible situation which is created when a woman who has deliberately chosen to become a wife thinks her own mental development and literary or artistic work of higher importance than the duties of wifehood. Olivia L. Carew (the initial letter betrays the nationality of the heroine) for many years shipwrecks her own and her husband's life, and by the irony of fate believes she has discovered that the passion which she has despised in the marital relation is necessary to her literary development. Her case is indeed parlous when she finds that even this supreme sacrifice has been in vain. In the end the self-sacrifice of the woman who is in love with the deserted husband saves the situation. Another lesson might perhaps be learnt from the book than that intended by the author. How little even expediency serves to preserve people from moral sins when once the inviolable sanctity of the marriage relation is not recognised.
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