BIRD OF PARADISE

by Ada Leverson ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 28, 1952

The Limit proved that the market for revival pieces of English social comedy had not disappeared and this current import will satisfy earlier readers. Poor Madeline loves Rupert and has tremors about his feelings for her; lovely Bertha, who looks but does not act like-a wax doll, is married to casual, restrained Percy, and promises that Madeline shall have her heart's desire; Nigel, who had jilted Bertha to marry an heiress, now finds his old love desirable while his brother Charles yearns after Madeline. And there is Percy's much younger brother who isn't as snobbishly arrogant as he pretends; Moona Chivvey who perversely charms both Rupert and Nigel; Lady Kellynch who sees only as far as her upbringing permits; Mary, Nigel's wife, who almost wrecks her marriage through jealousy of Bertha. Mary's stupidity discloses Percy's real love for Bertha who is able to get rid of Nigel for keeps and when Rupert returns to Madeline, Bertha is instrumental in returning Nigel to Mary. Careful cataloguing effects a series of pert vignettes while the precise shadings of a 1913 world of society make for an entertaining shadow play. A writer's writer primarily but with an established audience.

Pub Date: Feb. 28, 1952

ISBN: 1153803895

Page Count: -

Publisher: Norton

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1952

Categories: FICTION