YEARS ARE SO LONG

A book that is sure to arouse heated, perhaps acrimonious, argument; a book that people are going to read and pass on to friends -- and enemies -- with guarded statements as to what they think about it; a book that will hurt a great many feelings, but that may open a great many eyes. For the problem is an ever-present one in modern life, the problem of ""old age intestate"" -- as it was so aptly defined in an article in Harper's Magazine some time ago. What is the answer? How can old people have a tranquil old age, maintaining their independence and dignity, in the face of lack of financial security and of over-individualistic youth? It has the earkmarks of a story written with intent to put over an idea; it is a tragic and almost dispassionately cruel story. It lacks the warmly human touch that characterized Edna Ferber's Old Man Minnick (a not dissimilar theme). But, thanks to the publicity this will receive as one of the two July selections of the Book-of-the-Month, (the other is MATADOR by Marguerite Steen -- see page 98 for report), this is certain to be off to a good start.