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University Daily Kansan Wednesday, March 6. 1963
Here Are Famed Works of English Literature in Paperback
A FEARFUL JOY, by Joyce Cary (Dover DAnchor, $1.45).
This is a chronicle novel that does not entirely come off. Cary himself knew this, and in a preface he tells how he reworked it and threw out large sections in an attempt to make it a success. He must have known that his forte was the more personal tale which provides a closer look into the minds and motivations of individuals.
The story embraces much of the 20th century, from the end of the Victorian period to the end of World War II. His story is about a village miss named Tabitha Baskett, whose desire for something to happen comes true—too much so. For she runs away with a scoundrel named Bonser, and not for many years does he marry her.
Despite its vagaries of style and its effort to tell too much, "A Fearful Joy" is a good picture of English society in our time.
BRAVE NEW WORLD, by Aldous
Huxley (Boston Chronicle 50 pts.)
Western Civilization students at KU are well acquainted with this modern classic, which was first published in 1932 and is now being reprinted. It was revived in the postwar period and stands high either as science fiction or social criticism.
Like "1984" and "Looking Backward" it has dual significance, and few readers can forget the thrill of first encountering this book and its biting social comment.
TYPHOON AND OTHER TALES.
by Joseph Conrad (Signet Classies,
75 cents).
In this new volume are some of the greatest works of Conrad. These include "The Nigger of the Nareissure" and "Typhoon," which usually are regarded as short novels, plus several stories, including "Karain," "An Outpost of Progress," "The Lagoon," "Youth," "Amy Foster" and "The Shadow Line."
Conrad was a master of the psychological novel, and his settings were the sea and the jungle. His heroes are men with strong conceptions of moral and physical courage, honor and loyalty. These are some of his finest stories.
BURED ALIVE, by Arnold Bennett (Doubledoll Dolphin, 95 cents)
The story is a fairly familiar one, that of Britain's greatest artist, a mysterious figure named Priam Faril, who assumes the identity of his valet when the valet dies and then has to assume all the problems which come with his lowly position, such as a woman who had been courted through a lonely hearts column, and how to make a living.
Arnold Bennett thought this fierce an excreciatingly funny thing. It is funny, and frequently delightfully funny, though its merit is somewhat less than that bestowed on it by the author.
THE WOMAN IN WHITE, by Wilkie Collins (Doubleday Dolphin,
$1.45).
In the genre of the detective story, this novel, along with Collins' "The Moonstone," occupies a position alongside the stories of Poe. Sophisticated readers attuned to today's tough detective tales may not be amused.
It is the story of a young Englishman who meets a frightened girl, dressed in white, wandering near London. Then he notices that one of his students resembles the girl, whom he meets again in a graveyard. Thus begins the harrowing and times confused tale.
Published in 1860, "The Woman in White" has maintained considerable popularity, and is a mainstay of the mystery story form.
THE MAN OF PROPERTY. by John Galsworthy (Scribner Library, $1.45).
Those who prefer their literary trilogies intact are advised against this book, for it is Volume I of Calsworthy's celebrated "The Forsyte Saga." But it is a novel in its own right, and can be read independently of the two that follow — "In Chancery" and "To Let."
The Forsytes are an upper middle class English family, and in this book and the subsequent volumes Galsworthy traces manners and
morals from Victorian times down to shortly after World War I. Cries have praised "The Man of Property" as being a welding of art and social history.
THE LADY OF THE LAKE AND OTHER POEMS, by Sir Walter Scott (Signet Classics, 75 cents).
Still as beloved by many as the celebrated Waverley novels are the lush romantic poems of Scott. Here they are, several of them at least, in an attractive paperback volume. Because Scott was the great storyteller of romanticism, and because his poems were so important in the romantic movement, they deserve a re-reading. Or, in the case of most of us, a first reading.
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS AND
OTHER WRITINGS, by Jonathan
The fabulous satire about Gulliver takes up about half of this worthwhile new volume, the other writings being "The Battle of the Books," "A Tale of a Tub," "A Modest Proposal," "An Argument Against Abolishing Christianity," "The Bickerstaff Papers" and much of Swift's poetry. There are few readers who do not know the fabulous story of Gulliver, though many of us gained it second-hand. Here it is in its entirety.
TRISTRAM SHANDY, by Laurence Sterne (Fawcett Premier, 75 cents).
Though this novel is not easy going today, it belongs with the "Roderick Random" and "Tom Jones" in the picaresca tradition of English literature. And in its old-fashioned way it offers much good fun.
Little plot development is allowed to encumber "Tristram Shandy." But there are pungent observations on 18th century life, and irreverent and almost salacious comments and episodes. It remains one of the celebrated works of its time.
BARCHESTER TOWERS, by Anthony Trollope (Doubleday Dolphin. $145).
As one contemplates his contemporaries and their successful works, he wonders what has kept Trollope on the stage so long. No big social themes here, no satirical looks at London, no naturalistic views of the grim British world—just pleasant people in the social milieu of an English cathedral town.
But the writing is never superficial, and the characters are never mere puppets for Trollope to manipulate. Here lies much of the strength of this still-popular novel, whose plot is little more than a series of amusing social involvements.
DOMBEY AND SON, by Charles Dickens (Lawcett Premier, 95 cents); THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP, by Charles Dickens (Doubled Dolphin, $1.45).
The first is a depiction of avarice and its effect upon a man and his family, the breakdown of Dombey on the death of his son, and the rejection of his daughter. The characterizations, as usual, are rich, and the story is a good treatment of London life in the 19th century.
Though not normally listed in the sanctified circle of such works as "David Copperfield" and "The Pickwick Papers," these are two Dickens volumes well worth reading. One finds contrasting moods—a good bit of grinness in "Dombey and Son." lush sentiment in "The Old Curiosity Shop."
"The Old Curiosity Shop" is almost the prototype of sentimental fiction, the story of Little Nell and her grandfather's shop and the vicious dwarf who takes over the shop. There are mystery and contrived involvements in this famous tale.
ALICE'S ADVENTURES UNDERGROUND and ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND, by Lewis Carroll (Doubleday Dolphin Master, 95 cents).
The particular value of this interesting paperback is that it contains a facsimile edition of "Alice's Adventures Underground" and a reprint of the first edition of "Alice in Wonderland." This means the unusual printing, the inventive illustrations, and an opportunity to
This human comedy by Meredith is usually considered his best book: its hero is Sir Willoughby Patterne of Patterne Hall, who has good looks, wealth, no humor and no humility. Its story concerns Sir Willoughby's confused and complicated efforts to find a suitable Lady Patterne.
As for the book, what does one say? It is a masterpiece, and it is as beloved by adults as by children.
contrast the two.
The characters are possessed of human foibles, and Meredith is teaching a familiar lesson — the need to be wary of pride. Slow-moving and complex as the novel is, it is one of the enduring works in the English language.
THE EGOST, by George Meredith
(Doubledoll Dolphin, $1.45).
THE WAR OF THE WORLDS and THE TIME MACHINE, by H. G. Wells (Doubleday Dolphin, 95 cents).
Few read the fantasies of H. G. Wells any longer, when science fiction has dated them so much. But here are two of the best-known, the first especially known for the celebrity it acquired almost 25 years ago at the hands of another Welles—Orson.
There are narrative excitement, suspense, some humor, and a good deal of prophecy in these stories. "The War of the Worlds" describes the coming of the Martians. "The Time Machine" the story of the Morlocks and the consequences of self-indulgence.
EREWHON, by Samuel Butler
(Doubledav Dolphin, 95 cents).
This famous novel was built out of the disgust and disillusionment of the young Samuel Butler, who made an anagram of the word "nowhere" to satirize his age, and also make an addition to utopian literature.
"Erewhon" is an ideal community, but what Butler attacks is unquestionably British. The story starts as an adventure tale and builds into allegory. Most readers will have uneasy feelings as they note similarities between "Erewhon" and their own world.
This is probably the best of Waugh's novels, and it certainly is the most famous. It first appeared
It is a story of the Marchmain family in England, each of whom tries to solve his own problems but finds himself drawn back into religion for a solution. The subtle and ironic wit of Waugh reveals itself throughout.
BRIDESHEAD REVISITED, by Evelyn Waugh (Dell Laurel, 75 cents).
in 1944, and its popularity is still great.
MANS FIELD PARK, by Jane Austen (Doubleday Dolphin, 95 cents); NORTHANGER ABBEY, by Jane Austen (Dell, 50 cents).
"Mansfield Park" is a bit heavier. The heroine is Fanny Price, whose life is disrupted by the visit of Mary and Henry Crawford, a brother and sister whose worldliness proves upsetting. One writer has said that "in 'Mansfield Park' alone does Jane Austen tread the confines of tragedy."
These are fascinating, compelling,
frequently delightful novels by the
famed author of "Pride and Prejudice."
"Northanger Abbey" is a parody of innocent romance set
against the background of Gothic
horror, the story of Catherine Morland
and the weir and frightening
setting in which she finds herself.
Of all George Eliot's novels, this is the most comprehensive, elaborate and believable. It is a vast panorama in the manner of "Vanity Fair," and provides a critique of 19th century England just before passage of the Reform bill.
Middlemarch is an English town, and could be said to be more important than the individual characters, for like "Vanity Fair", this novel is a novel without a hero. Almost all phases of provincial life are analyzed, and we especially gain insight through "Middlemarch" into the medical profession and the middle class. More than in her other novels, George Eliot has given us people who can be believed in this huge book.
MIDDLEMARCH, by George Eliot (Riverside, $1.45).
In "Rob Roy" Scott gave us one of his most enjoyable historical romances. There are the requisite number of romantic contrivances, but there is little tampering with history, and the characterizations are full and entertaining.
ROB ROY, by Sir Walter Scott
(Riverside, $1.05).
The legendary hero of the Jacobite rebellion of the early 18th century is not the hero of this tale,
but he does play a large part in the doings of the real hero, Frank Osbaldistone. There is much zest, and there is a good deal of dashing around the Scottish Highlands and getting in and out of trouble. There also is a delightful heroine, Diana Vernon, as bright and spirited as one can find in English fiction.
BLEAK HOUSE, by Charles Dickens (Riverside, SL23).
Though as involved and improbable as anything he wrote "Bleak House" still is a powerful novel of 19th century England. It is in the genre of social criticism, and in it Dickens makes a powerful case against methods of equity courts in England.
It is an angry tale, and one that unfolds on a vast canvas. It has a grim view, and it has the trappings of most Dickens novels—dirty London streets, fog, rain, subterfuge, intrigue, and broad characterizations. As a work of political criticism it proved extremely influential, and its popularity, great when the book first appeared, has lasted for more than a century.
TAKE A GIRL LIKE YOU, by Kingsley Amis (Signet, 60 cents)—a new comic tale by the author of "Lucky Jim." This is the story of Jenny Bunn, who looks like a French film star and thinks like a sensible school teacher. The book has been called the author's "biggest, most ambitious (and best) novel."
DARWIN AND THE MODERN WORLD VIEW, by John C. Greene (Mentor, 60 cents).
In this book, John C. Greene makes the observation that the findings of Darwin really settled nothing in either philosophy or theology, even though today's scientists and theologians have largely accepted the validity of the theory of evolution.
Greene, who teaches at Iowa State University, discusses the impact of evolutionary biology on the religious and intellectual thought of the past century. He says the areas of potential conflict between evolutionary science and the Bible have been sharply reduced by a slowly changing attitude towards the infallibility of the Bible on the part of both Protestants and Catholics.
HAVE YOU READ these stimulating MERIDIAN paperbacks?
THE CATALOGUE. Drawings by Soul
Steinberg M147 $2.75
THE POEM ITSELF. Edited by Stanley
Burnshaw. M142 $2.25
EXISTENTIALISM FROM DOSTEVOE-
EXISTENT ARTRE. Edited Kaufmann
M91 $15 525
M95 $12 750
A SHORT HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY
By Martin E. Marty, LA24 $1.75
CONGRESSIONAL GOVERNMENT. By
Woodrow, Wilma. M27 . $1.75
SMAKESPEAREAN TRAGEDY. By A.
C. Brodley M2. $16.5
A HANDBOOK OF CHRISTIAN THE
ANDREW A. Cohen, in Holloway,
and Arthritis, A. Cohen,
AN OUTLINE OF PHILOSOPHY. Bv
Berrand Russell. M97 $1.55
FOLKSONGS AND FOOTNOTES*: An International Songbook. By: Beverly M. 827-955-4311
AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY. Edited by Robert A. Divine. M1 $1.75
THE ORIGIN OF TOTALITARIAN-
ISM. By Hannah Arendt. $2.45
THE MAKING OF EUROPE. By Christopher Dowson, Illus. M35 $1.45
A HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES:
1876-1945 Presidential Era
Frank Klingberg  M115 95
THEMIS. By Jane Ellen Harrison
M145 $2.45
OUTLINES OF CLASSICAL LITERATURE. By H. J. Rowe. M119 $1.45
THE MERIDIAN COMPACT ATLAS OF THE WORLD. M126 $1.95
THE MARK O OFPRESSION. By Abram Kardiner and Lionia Overser
A CRAMMAP OF MOTIVES and A
MOTIVE OF MOTIVES
North Durham. M143 $2.95
THE MANDARINS. By Simone de
Beauvoir.
MF1 $2.45
THE RECOGNITION. A novel by
William Gaddis.
MF20.$2.95
THE FEDERALIST. Edited by Jacob
E. Cooke. MG39 $2.45
PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE. Edited
Danto Danta and Joan
besser. M90 $195
THE PLAYS OF CHRISTOPHER MAR-
LOWE, by Leo Lea
*MG42*, *MG43*
A GUIDE TO CONTEMPORARY I-
LASTIS LITERATURE.
PART II. $12.95
PRACTICE
THE VARIATIES OF ECONOMICS,
Koctman, M4G4  AGB Each $1.95
M4G6  AGB Each $1.95
available at the
KANSAS UNION BOOK STORE