We all know Mr. W.E. NORRIS as a
novelist who can be trusted not only to tell an intriguing story,
but also to construct it irreproachably. But here, I think, he has
penalised himself with the materials he has chosen. However he sets
bravely to work to wipe off his handicap, and very nearly succeeds. If
I cannot credit him with complete success it is because the subsidiary
tale of love which he gives us is really too anaemic. Yet I can
conceive of people so fed up with the makers of blood-heat fiction
that Mr. NORRIS'S lukewarm method will afford them a pleasant change.
* * * * *
However cleverly Mr. WILLIAM CAINE may treat his theme, _The Wife
Who Came Alive_ (JENKINS) is only another version of the antiquated
mother-in-law business. _Doll Brackett_ was a beautiful American girl,
and if she had not been idiotically idolised by her mother and could
have realised the difference between pounds and pence she might
have made an excellent wife for _George March_, of Hampstead,
portrait-painter. _Mrs. Brackett_ was not actively hostile to this
marriage, but after losing her fortune she began to disapprove of
the economy which _March_ preached and tried in vain to practise.
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