accepted calmly. In this
mon & Schuster, Jected,
Bruce Gould 82.50). It is his manner Schnitzler introduces the
first long novel in reader to all types of society, creating
twenty years. During this time he hasj a gallery in which scores of recogniz¬
published, among other things, Frau¬
able portraits exist. This, however, is
something which only the reader per¬
lein Else,“ Beatrice,“Rhapsody“ and
ceives. Theresa sees only that she is
Daybreak, all novelettes. All of these
used for a time like any household
were good, of course. As it happens,
utensil and then cast off when hei
we never read anything by Schnitzler
which didn't seem so.
services are no longer indispensable
Though many treat her with kindnes.
In Theresa“ Schnitzler has sur¬
she remains always an outsider.
passed himself. As if aware that his
Early in her career she acquires :
theme lifted him above the obligation
son. She was too ignorant to rid her
to be clever and seintillating, Schnitz¬
self of the results of an unfortunat
ler has related the life-story of
alliance. Moreover, she felt some inne.
the governess, Theresa, with the calm¬
urge to become a mother. It provec
ness of the recording angel. The
stronger than the instinct of self¬
result is a terrifying human document,
preservation. She never knew the real
simple and subhime, as inevitable as
name of her child’s father, though she
death, and, seemingly like death, the
saw him again when her son was
last word on the life of such unhappy,
grown. When she actually bore her
tragic, misdirected creatures as Theresa.
son in solitude she wished him to die
The subtitle of this novel is "the
Later, when her son caused her death
chronicle of a woman's life.“ That is
in a struggle to wrest some money from
accurate. The novel opens with the
her, she feit that in some way she wa:
retirement of Lieutenant Hubert Fa¬
explating her mental sin.
biani, Theresa’s father, to Salzburg,
While she cared for other people“
shortly before he goes insane. Her
children and neglected her Franz, sh¬
mother, of somewhat dubious tempera¬
realized dimly that some form of ret
ment and morals, works out her ma¬
ribution was in store for her. It wa.
terial and spiritual salvation by be¬
not, however, as much because Fran:
coming a cheap novelist, whose stories
was neglected as because he was th
achieve a wide syndication. Schnitzler,
son of two such misfits that he wen
the artist, has a little fun at his own
from bad to worse on the streets, final
expense, perhaps, in recording how the
ly ending up in prison for stranglin
writing of this literary tripe workell a
his mother to death.
miracle in the widow’s rancid disposl¬
Once, Theresa nearly abhieved a com
tion. After writing these novels, says
promise with life, wherein a certal
Schnitzler, the mother:
content, if not happiness, was prom
had rid herself of all the
ised her. The father of one of her pu
sickly, confused and unclean parts
pils, first taking her as his mistres.
of her being, those things which had
decided to marry her. He was rich
so often pained Theresa, by putting
naturally generous, and, though of
them into her novels. Now, she had
become 8 charming and reasonable
gross and vulgar nature, rather mor
old lady, with whom she could get
ridiculous than disgusting. Schnitzle
on delightfully, and whom it was
sets down this character (who attend
even posslble to love.
the opera in a tophat for appearane
It is for this reason, perhaps, that
säke, hut sneaks off to a tenth-rat
one often discovers that novelists of
vaudeville for enjoyment), with mas
wide, popular appeal, but no taste, are
terly finality, but without prejudice c
rather decent and amlable persons to
pointing. Herr Wohlschein died on th
meet. They prove more attractive per¬
eve of their marrlage, however, befor
sonally, at times, than their literary
he had time to make certain change
superiors, whose bad manners never
In his will by which Theresa woul
disslpate themselves in their excellent
have benefited.
works. Perhaps it is for this reason
This was the height to whie
that most clubs and societies are formed
Theresa was led and from which sh
by. the mediocrities among artists, who
was dashed by a Fate relentless eve
blackball the important workers in the
in the clear sight of human miser:
arts because of their nasty tempera¬
The pqwer of this novel comes from th
ments.
dispassionate knowledge of the worl
Theresa soon followed her brother
which Schnitzler dlspläys. He extend
to Vienna, though each pursued a sep¬
no hand to help or hinder Theresa or
arate way there. Theresa left Salz¬
her tragie course. Like all humanit;
burg when her first lover proved errant
she is ever hopeful that something
after the initial excitement of seduc¬
will end her blind career. But she sim¬
tion proved Theresa to be but another
ply goes on and on, and out, as man)
girl. With that feminine feeling for
have gone before and many will follon
the appropriate, Tneresa had deniedgfter.
herself to the naive Alfred. He was Coppricht, 1928, bu N. F. Erening Post, Jnc.
box 6/2
Therese
35 2
Allesauseusensaucenunsesnuenuesnsenurenreng
TUST
PUBLISHED
THE FIRST FULL LENCTH NOVEL IN TWENTY TEARS BT
ARTHUR SCHNITZLER
a
FIERLSA
THE CHRONICLE OF
A WOMAN'S LIFE
This chronicle of the life of a
Viennese governess is the work
of twenty years. It will repay
those Schnitzler admirers who
have awaited it.
The first printing has been
completely soldout, andthe second
is now on press.
460 pages, price, 82.50
PUBLISHED BT SIMON AND SCHUSTER, INC., N. Y.
S SE BETSIS
T#est Pter
Nywesie Jest 212