Sarasin is extremely popular among lovers of the historical Fomance and in "The Mystery of Martin Guerre" (Hutchinson, London, 7/6), she is seen at her best. It ie a most intriguing mystery tale of French history of the days of the Sixteenth weentury and is _cer~ tain to please her numerous readfers and probably add considererably fo their numbers. The chapters dealing with the Guerre trial at Toulouse are especially well written and hold the reader's interact Throughout; but, as many of the home reviewers" have already written, there can be no greater praise than to say it is a Sarasin novel of the highest quality. With that com~ Jment, "The Mystery of Martin Guerre" can be passed on for the delectation of those readers fortunate enough to ensure its coming into Whenever a third party enters a marital relationship a'situation 1g. at once created which holds all manner of possibilities. However platonic might be the interest of the third party and the member of the marital relaonship concerned, that interest is usually enough to pro duce situations where anguish isthe common experience. In "Private Worlds." by Phyllis Bottome (the Bodley' Head, London. 17/6), we find the age-old triangular interruption to an ordinary marriage arrangement marked with psychological reactions that are not usual. Living and work= Ing inthe tense atmosphere of a mental asylum, the principals con cerned cannot help but be affected, and suffer experiences, each one being a private world in' himself, that are happily not too much for them; and when all misunderstandings have been settled they are set on courses which seem certain to. give them comfortable going and a haven of contentment, For those. who ike skilfully unravellea complexities and insight Into the workings of a modern insane asylum, this book is recom:
Those who Tike a good cinema story with plenty of plot and a happy ending will find Mrs. Stanley Wrench's "Green Pleasure" (Jarrolds, London. 1/6) agreeable holiday reading, The hero, a rather boring self-made motor magnate of obscure Origin, decides to become a member fof the landed gentry class and buys himself avast estate teeming with tradition, He gets the penniless daughter of the house thrown in for full measure.
She is certainly woman, her deep-rooted love for the hom of her ancestors falls to redeem he: from utter worthlessness. Indeed the Feader is sorely tempted to question fat all times the authenticity of her blue blue blood! The hero, despite his early struggles, appears to be vacillating individual who. scarce-knows his own mind for more than two consecutive paragraphs. The not in her first youth, prom vides the simple and sincere love terest. She, by loyalty and a most fortunately opportune legacy, is able to save the hero's good name and multiple factories during his uncous clousness caused by a motoring ac-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.