THE FOUNTAIN OVERFLOWS

The first novel from Rebecca West in twenty years is a sophisticated sort of Sanger's Circus tale as she creates the Aubrey family in a shabby London house. Characters range in brilliance and variety from the father whose gifts for journalism and pamphleteering do not offset his gambling and irresponsibility to lovable small Richard Quin, who soothes the tempestuous family. Each step they take is an acknowledgement of failure but through it all they maintain unbroken pride, a sense of backing the right and an acceptance of the place of art in daily living that lift them above the common herd. Not always easy reading, but rewarding as the author's sparkle redeems the erratic progress of her tale .