3 JUNE 1966, Page 24

The two next books are altogether more matter-of-fact and practical

than most of the others under discussion. Margaret Storey's The Smallest Doll (Faber, 12s. 6d.), is concerned with a Sunday School play; an element of fantasy is introduced, however, when the dolls become almost human and the children's identities become confused with those of the dolls whose parts they are playing. In grown-up literature, this sort of situation has been rich, fertile material and one recalls Ugo Betti and Pirandello. Miss Storey never moves into sheer symbolism, but sustains her story mainly on the narrative level.