O. HENRY MEMORIAL AWARD STORIES OF 1938

One of the best collections of short stories that has been published for some time. Diversified in interest, contemporary in spirit, with an eye for artistic merit and present-day verisimilitudes rather than regional and proletarian tractarian values, or slick appeal. There is unusually high literary excellence, a tendency to represent those who are portraying the present conflicts of race and financial insecurity and unemployment. Harpers, Story, Scribners, Virginia Quarterly, Southern Review, New Yorker and others are represented. The outstanding younger authors hold the honors:- Caldwell, Steinbeck, Albert Maltz, Fuchs, Saroyan, James Still, and, for lighter moments, Nancy Hale and Mary Hastings Bradley. Johnny Pye and the Fool Killer by Stephen Benet is there, and a fine Jewish story by a newcomer, Elick Moll. A good collection, for general reading as well as for study.