tue Wotto Acaixst Many.—By J.
Frank, Methuen, London, The World Against Mary" was originally published in Germany under the title "Das Lebon der Marie Szameitat." The translation 'n English by Dr. Otto Frommer excellent, and without the crudities often prevailing in translations, 'This book is a chronicle of the fe and trials of Mary, a simple appealing peasant type. Mary is the daughter of a village labourer and her carly years are passed in the shadow of the Manor House. With a family of twelve on her' hands, Mary's mother can spare but little time for her eldest daughter and soon Mary is taking her part in the household tasks and lookin after the younger children. In of being poorly nourished and living unbelievable cond.tions of poverty ind.filth, Mary has an instinct for better things, evinced by her effort to keep herself clean and to show herself dependable and trustworthy. Chosen for these attributes, she is given a place as housemaid at the Manor House and the Squire her competence and honesty. Mary meets hee first disaster in the shape of an illicit affair with a. waiter amed Fritz, a despicable character:
ter on, but at this time merely a weak good-natured animal Jours reach the Squire Mary. with these st that her future is at stake. Mary staunchly denies everything _and decides to break finally' with Fritz.
complished easily, espe-jolly as abe offers him all her little savings, which he accepts on the pretext of getting "new position "in Beckn." Then Mary finds she is to have a child. Desperately ashamed and unhappy, she confesses to her mistress, who is unexpectedly broad minded and helpful and makes arrangements for Mary to go to a wseue society in a. city near by. After the birth of her child, place is found for her in a kind Family. who know her story, but she is forced to relinquish all claims on her baby. For some time Mary content and happy in her new pos tion hut unfortunately" she again meets. Fritz, with after some months, the same sequel as before. Frits, under pressure, consents. to marry Mary and for 'a year or 20 all goes well, but from then on her fois unspeakably sad. Struggling against her lot as the wife drunken epileptic, Mary by superhuman efforts manages. to. support herself and her children for some years. The story moves on to a heart breaking climax.
This book is written mainly as a Mary's class to 4 fighting chance to exist and sustain their family with:
tthe threat of constantly' recur-\ibirth. "The World Against Ro sugar-coated novel but strong moving record of the fight waged by woman ther fate. It is forceful, convincing, and well' worth reading' for anyone. who Is not afraid of the truth—ts.s.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.