ABSTRACT
As might be expected, Mr Gissing's new novel The Odd Women is intensely modem, actual in theme as well as in treatment. Amidst the vexed social questions that surround us on all sides, and seem to defy solution, he has chosen one of real interest, and has turned it to clever and original purpose. The problem of the odd woman and what is to be done with her presents, in truth, a grim enough aspect. As treated by Mr Gissing the interest is of almost too painful a character, yet it is full of suggestion and significance. Those who know him best recognize that his manner and method are generally vivid and, to some extent, individual, though by no means enchanting. Here, as in ,former novels, we have pages of something more resembling the reporter's than theartist's touch. The storyis anything but crude or unsympathetic, yet in the telling it is often a little inadequate. Journalese is conspicuous, not by its absence. In spite of this the book is better than merely readable, it is absorbing. One feels that the author is more than master of his subject; that he has turned it about and around, and thorougWy knows its capabilities. As a novel it is decidedly 'uncheering'; the outlook is, in some ways, even more depressing than in New Grub Street. Yet latent in it all is an element ofhope, a something that encourages, the idea that with time and effort the bafRing problem of the odd women may be successfully solved. Many of the characters and episodes are extremely well drawn; the dialogue is of the right sort-natural and to the purpose. Mr Gissing has not, perhaps, on the whole, written anything stronger or more striking.
