THE SMALL GENERAL

This was originally reported in June for August publication -- now appearing on the above date. The author of The Three Bamboos and of Bonin with a quiet, gently humorous portrait of China-old and new- through the story of the Small General and his father, Sung. Sung possessed an island where he raised the finest mulberry trees in China, is envied by friends who try and buy his secret, and is beaten by the Japanese whom he outwits. With peasant canniness, Sung carries on the tradition of his forbears, passes on the secret, a hoax, to the Small General at his death. The Small General follows the trend of a changing country, joins a patriotic organization to boycott the enemy, takes a common law wife who represents enlightened women. A portrait rather a novel, which conveys with authenticity and simplicity the quality of the Chinese people. Limited appeal.