... . By Martin Boyd. (Cresset Press 10s. 6d.) THIS, on the other hand, is an imaginary biography, and a very colourful and lively one. Mr. Boyd gets away to a flying start with the mis spelt letters sent by an Irish peer to the ex -governess of a neighbouring family who has become mother of his child. This lady dies as the peer becomes a widower, and little Bridget is taken to Castle Muckerry to ...

... . By Jocelyn Brooke. (The Bodley Head 10s. 6 d.) IT was brave of Mr. Jocelyn Brooke to tempt comparison by making fireworks, or what he calls pyrotechnomania, an undercurrent to the whole of this book, for there is something in his writing which continually recalls those point less displays of artificial light and explosion. Like his earlier book, The Military Orchid, this one consists of auto ...

... THE THEATRE J. C. Trewin A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. Excitement in the theatre is heartening. Nobody would have grudged Vivien Leigh her almost frantic reception at the end of Tennessee Williams's play at the Aldwych. The part might have been designed as a test for an honours degree in acting technique. Certainly the actress gets her degree. Our stage is the richer for playing of so much ...

... . By Daphne du Maurier. (Gollancz I Is.) IT is scarcely necessary to say that this is a spell-binder, a winner, a pre-ordained best seller which will be avidly read, discussed, dramatised, filmed, serialised, broadcast, translated, and selected by newspapers and book clubs all over the world. It will cause ugly scenes in lending libraries and passionate appeals for priority in bookshops. It ...