A Farm in Normandy. By Robert Henrey. (Dent. I2S. 6d.)
MR. HENREY, who appears not to be a farmer, purchased a lam, in the Val d'Auge, which, amateurs of cooking will recall, breec, some of the best cooks and the finest chickens in France, as as making the most delicious cider and Calvados. The purchase was made in 1938, and the author at once set about rebuilding with local labour. His builder, a heavy drinker with a passion for literature, and his well-digger are two of the few sympathetic characters in the book, intelligent craftsmen with a tradition of good work. The others, such as the tenant, -Goguet," and his neighbours, are peasants with all the peasant greed. The war comes. The reservists go' off to the Army; men are called up; then the older men and the boys. The women carry Co, There is no enthusiasm for the war. Children are brought to birth and die. News comes of the death of men, and women hang themselves. Finally, the Germans attack. Havre bombed, and there follows a sauve-qui-peut. Mr. Henery gen himself, his wife and his child to St. Mato with great difficulty, and at last to England. The book has a certain value for in picture of the peasant and war. But the author has little feeling for the English language, and his dialogues are clumsy and un- probable. Moreover, 'exploiter" is not " exploit," nor is "far" " folly."
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