“NO PLACE FOR REPENTANCE”, by Ellen F. Pinsent: Little Novell Series: Price 6d: London: T. Fisher Unwin: This is undoubtedly a strong book — a trifle too strong perhaps. It is a study in a subject which is a favourite among novelists, and one in which it is only too easy to exaggerate — incurable drunkenness. Miss Pinsent has yielded to some extent to this tendency to exaggeration, and as a consequence the idea of her book is in more than one respect superior to the execution. The plot turns on the appearance of a young and enthusiastic teetotal curate in a quiet Lincolnshire parish. The young reformer brings a new influence to bear upon his surroundings, but, although the influence is permanent, its agent collapses under a burning desire for alcohol, which he has been striving to suppress. Now, this is undeniably striking, and, we believe, an original rendering of an old subject and with a little more of that essence of literary greatness — moderation — Miss Pinsent might have achieved a notable success. That she possesses the ability to have gained such a success; is proved by the force of several passages in the latter part of the book and by some skilful touches of Lincolnshire village life scattered here and there. But many parts of the book are pitched in too high a key. The hero is sometimes too vehemently drawn for our sympathy, and more than one of the minor characters are far too strongly contrasted in their virtues and defects. The heroine is very faintly outlined— altogether one of the weakest points of the book. But in spite of its numerous failings, Miss Pinsent has accomplished a forcible and dramatic, if somewhat painful little narrative.
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0245 Devonport: Ellen Frances Parker: 1866 – 1949