Two novels—two long _novels—which have just come from the same firm might well be read. together. They are "Salvation" by Sholem Asch (Gollaner 82. 64) and "The Search" by C. P. Snow (Gollancz 4&5. 6d.) It might be remarked here, in parenthesis, that eight shillings and' sixpence is becoming the usual rice for a novel. Length must be aid for, both by the publisher and the public.
The titles of these two books are significant, especially when they are taken together. They are, in. the main, studies of two men and two ways of life. Their periods are se-paraled by a century, but the blems they present must be at. all times contemporaneous. For those problems (and they are really two problems in one) are that of religion and science. It is this which gives common significance to the two titles, The protagonist of "Salvation" is 4 Polish jew, who leads a saintly life the midst'of the European turmoil the beginning of the nineteenth century. He is a creature of simple faith, selfless and almost impersonal. Knowing no fear, he goes through the sorrows of the world, making those sorrows his own and' yet find= ing no doubt or depression in them. Tt is once again the Christ tragedy and glory, but it is not a mere retelling in' didactic terms. It is full fof incident, humour, colour and diverse character; but its way consistently the way of salvation.
Sholem Asch is an author with a great reputation. His "Three Cities" recently translated into English, great impression and showed that its author had something of Dostoyevsky's lightning flashes. into the heart of man and the mysteries of life which are beyond material things. The Polish Jew of this book knows, because he has within him that magnetic love which points to salvation and fs the only guide out of darkness and chaos.
'The other book, "The Search" is the story of a' modern English solentist and is written by one who {himself "has tried the way. of scientific research in an earnest effort fo find an answer to the riddle of life, "With a heart and "a mind as whole and intent as the heart and mind of the saintly Polish Jew, he pursues his course only to come up against the realization that his search never be anything but a search; catinot give an answer; cannot to. salvation; that science, wonderful as it may be, satisfying for a time to its devotees, has its inevitable limitation. Doctor Snow knows that in its technical ways science has no dead end. One may go on inquiring and inquiring. But there is something which tells him that science is not enough. The Polish Jew knew the answer which the laboratory cannot give.
These are two fine works. They are not for those who ask merely for Ught or easy entertainment. They are long; they are earnest; they are human, well written and never dull. They repay their readers both for their eight shillings and _sixpence and the hours they will spend with them.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.