Some Of The New Novels (Press, 31 December 1966)

The news story published on 31 December 1966 provides reviews of six recently released books, each showcasing different styles and themes. "Incubus" by Giuseppe Berto, translated by William Weaver, is a lengthy stream-of-consciousness narrative exploring a man's complex relationships with various women and his feelings towards his deceased father. The reviewer critiques Berto's verbose style, expressing a wish for more concise writing that would highlight the striking prose found within the dense text. Despite its flaws, the book has received notable literary awards, including the Viareggio and Campiello Prizes in 1964. Berto's life experiences, including time as a prisoner of war in the United States, lend depth to his writing. Edmund McGirr's "The Funeral Was In Spain" follows the investigation of Kingston Rowton's death by a private detective hired by his wealthy, suspicious father. The deceased's morally questionable life is examined, revealing various individuals who may have had motives for foul play, including illegitimate children and business associates. The novel's plot is described as a standard mystery that does not rise above mediocrity, populated by characters with more money than ethics. In "Make Much Of Time," Patrick Davidson chronicles the poignant yet overextended story of young love between Jim McComb and Penda Carlson. Following Penda's tragic death, Jim struggles with grief and inadvertently delays his emotional healing process for years. The narrative includes explorations of literature and the arts, though the lengthy discussions detract from the main themes of love and loss, making the story feel unnecessarily protracted. Cressida Lindsay's "No, John, No" provides a character study of Kate, a young woman navigating life on the fringes of London society. The novel's lack of a strong plot is offset by its authentic portrayal of disenchanted youth. While Kate initially appears dull, her character reveals a hidden depth of pleasure in life's simple experiences. The writing style, however, suffers from haphazard punctuation and mixed narrative perspectives, which complicates the reading experience. Paul Gallico's "The Man Who Was Magic" presents a fable-like narrative featuring Adam, a genuinely magical figure whose simplicity contrasts with the cynical world of professional magicians. Although the story addresses the theme of innocence versus cynicism, it tends to be slow and predictable, populated by stereotypical characters. Only the speaking dog, Mopsy, stands out as a relatable figure amidst the otherwise flat cast. Finally, "The Sharemilkers" by N. D. Thompson tells the story of Shane and Dilyse, a young couple engaged in sharemilking in New Zealand as they aspire to own their dairy farm. Although their episodic journey through different rural communities offers opportunities for growth and learning, Dilyse's somewhat superficial interest in people detracts from the otherwise friendly and light-hearted narrative. Overall, these reviews highlight a variety of literary styles and themes, from introspective narratives to character-driven explorations, while also commenting on the shortcomings of certain works.

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