THE ANSWER TO QUESTION 33

by Christopher Sykes ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 7, 1948

A first novel by the author of Four Studies in Loyalty (P. 133, 3/1/48) sustains the same quality of meditative appraisal in the presentation of the story of Kirkby, of landed gentry from the North of England, Lady Caroline Medlam, and Donna Isabella, involved emotionally before, and during the recent war. Kirkby whose heart was youthfully pledged to Caroline, grew up, recognizing her weaknesses as well as his own, escaped her hold when he went as Consul to the Levant. Even her marriage and the gossip of her scandalous behavior did not lessen her power until in Donna Isabella, of mixed Italian, Jewish and other bloods, he found relief from Caroline's temptations. But Caroline's help in Donna Isabella's flight from Egypt in the days of African defeat, not only wreck Kirkby's happiness with Isabella but turn her against the English she had always admired... Kirkby hears of her when public questions bring up her name for anti-British activities.... There is a special feeling in the younger days of Kirkby and Caroline that reflects the tempo and background of the period; there is acute observation and concern with people's minds as well as their emotions; and the whole, in spite of some weakness in characters that lack complete reality, in a lack of balance in the unities of time, place and action, is a novel for the reader who does not wish his intelligence insulted.

Pub Date: Oct. 7, 1948

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: William Sloane

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1948

Categories: FICTION