Show Powys' Powys Story Is Powerful Study of of Character I Subject Matter However Is IsI Likely to 10 Stir Opposition I of Certain Readers I By GORDON No Ko person disgruntle with the he course of at modern morals should read I the latest novel by John Cowper Powys for by do doing doing do- do ing lag so so he may may become convinced that his views are true and the world has gone to the dogs Moral restrictions are cast aside by the characters in this book and the re reI result result re- re sult suit is not altogether pleasing I Despite the fact that the story was written by a successful author who has nearly a score of books to his credit including Wood and Stone and others drags in spots Nearly half the book Is devoted to descriptions of nature some of which are excellent Much of it However tends to distract the readers reader's readers reader's readers reader's read read- ers er's attention from the main theme of the story The setting of the book is laid in ina ina ina a little English village not far from London The story deals with the life Ufe of a middle aged squire who is the last of at his line with the exception exception exception tion of or an invalid brother and their mother nother Family and friends are fearful that the squire will pass on without leaving a son and heir to carry carryon on the family name of ot Ash- Ash over So it Is that the squire is I besieged by those who would di direct dl- dl 11 sect the course of his will Rook Ashover the squire has living living liv liv- I ing mg with him In the ramify family ho home e a I mistress who was ari an an actress act act- ress SS in London The woman is act I Unable un unable unable un- un able to bear children for tor him Mrs Ashover the mother embarrassed I and humiliated by her her sons son's actions lives Jives In seclusion in her own room Later for company compan she has her niece come to live lie with her This girl Is attractive and conspires to win Rock from his mistress After many walks walI s into the woods Rook and the girl become Intimate A few months later she Informs him she Is expecting to become a a. a I mother They are married I Rooks Rook's mistress on hearing of the tho marriage leaves the house and re returns returns returns re- re turns to London Rook then does his utmost to locate her but fails falls During the months that h he was associating associating associating as as- with the girl he married and his mistress he was also secretly secret secret- ly having an affair with the village ministers minister's wife Lexie his Invalid brother was also taking taking- secret secret walks with this woman On ohe spring d day aay while walking Rook finds his and the rectors rector's wife in a is ing log position This angers angers Rook Hook a avd ad the brothers quarrel The story is delicately handled and despite the fact that much of if f the subject matter Is revolting re to certain types of at readers it is well written As a character study itis It Itis itis is r reflective of keen analytical powers powers powers pow pow- ers of the author Doubleday Doubleday Page Co Garden City New NewYork NewYork NewYork York |