THE THREE SUITORS

This is an admirable traditional novel, composed, lenitive, leisurely, taking place in Wales (""heart-break country at the edge of Europe"") and dealing, to some extent, with the stubborn defencelessness of the old as they try to retain a hold on the world which is changing all around them. Mignon, once married to a man of prominence, and her brother Freddy, are referred to as the ""old ones"" by what remains of the family-a daughter, a nephew and a niece who only visit them occasionally, and usually, disruptively. Perhaps the only pleasant relationships Mignon now has are with Ashley, the husband of a niece, and Rohama, the daughter of her husband's mistress, a living reminder of an old humiliation. This novel deals with her attempt to reinvest her husband with some of his former distinction (and pick up a little very necessary money) by publishing some of his papers: the first suitor, from a publishing house in London, quickly dismisses and alienates her; the second one, from a newspaper, is a bounder, pilfers only a few letters which he sells- and providentially leads to the third suitor who vindicates the ""old ones"" particularly in the face of Mignon's snappishly contemptuous daughter. Like Mignon, a novel with presence, and a perfect collaboration between sympathy and intelligence.