Book Review; “Children of this World” by Ellen F. Pinsent, Methuen, and Co. Problem novels are of necessity heavily handicapped. There are few, indeed, who can handle a serious subject with sufficient lightness to provide that relaxation which we naturally look for in fiction. Mrs. Pinsent is not one of these. And yet, even while we sigh under the too obvious labour of her task, we cannot but admire the care and patience with which she has developed her many characters to their natural completion … (review of content – agnosticism v Christianity) … Considering the circumstances it might have been wiser to have omitted the name of such a venerable institution as that of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, especially as in her minor details Mrs. Pinsent does not always show the careful accuracy that she does in the development of her characters; but his is a question of taste. The story suffers most from its entire lack of humour. There is much that is lifelike and natural; but nowhere is it relieved from a continuous seriousness, which is not natural in the comings and goings of human life.
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