CROSS SECTION 1947

by Edwin- Ed. Seaver ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 6, 1946

Perhaps Edwin Seaver is justified in feeling that this year's collection- third in the series- shows evidence of a ""fresh vitality and a firmer grasp of the aesthetic means....a reaching out toward now orientations"". I found that I emerged from reading the forty odd stories and occasional poems with a sense of depression, a wish that there had been more inclusions with some relief of humor or idealism. Vitality, yes- originality, now and again, but more with a sense of experimentation than accomplishment. The names for the most part are relatively new; among the familiar ones are William Marsh, Ann Petry, David DeJong, Jo Sinclair, Betty Baur, Basil Heatter (and even they are in the main still one book people). There's humanity shorn of tenderness, lacking the emotional pull that leaves its mark. In form, many of the stories have an episodic quality, as if drawn from context -- an incident vignetted, lacking roundness, fullness. Possibly this is the new school. Possibly growth will bring the fullness this growing pain period lacks. Interesting as a phase of literary history.

Pub Date: Jan. 6, 1946

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1946

Categories: FICTION