THE STATE OF MIND

Probing into the various psychoses and neuroses of his fellows, Mr. Schorer (author of The Hermit Place, a novel on the list of Random House-1941) gives us what his title indicates, in a series of short stories. Introspective writing at its best, now done with level-headed precision, this is at times realistically depressing (as in The Dead Dog, An Empty Lot); at times reminiscent of Sherwood Anderson (Boy in the Summer Sun, Long in Populous City Pent); at times almost Saki-like in irony and subleties added to brilliant portrayal of children (The right to a Little Peace, Blockbusters). Characterizations and emotions are stressed rather than plot.... Scherer's name is familiar to readers of The New Yorker and other periodicals. This collection is worth reader attention, but for pick-up reading rather than to be taken at a gulp.