_Cloth, 12mo, $1.75_
“Joan and Peter. The Story of an Education,” is an important
achievement, from many points of view. Mr. Wells’ craftsmanship is at
its height in his skillful arrangement of the plot which carries these
two interesting young people through school and college. The sturdy
Joan, at the period when she “cheeks” Peter’s week-end guests, the
delightful Joan at the time when life seems to hold little for her but
dancing, is an entrancing character. Not less so Peter, eager and
sensitive, thrilling over Hamlet at Moscow, rebellious at the Irish
complications. The revealing and brilliant writing that traces their
growth makes every crisis in their lives, sport-ethics, love affairs, or
politics, a vivid dramatic climax. “Uncle Nobby” is a fine drawing of
the liberal-minded optimistic Briton. His braveness and humor in
interviewing Dons and Deans make good reading. His travels with Peter
are recorded with illuminating comments on the conditions of pre-war
Europe; the comradeship of the two, so far apart in age, is cleverly
analyzed. Undoubtedly these characters will appeal even more than the
heroes and heroines in Mr. Wells’ widely discussed novels of other
years, for they step from his most mature and fertile imagination.
“A triumphant achievement. Never has Mr. Wells spread for such a
gorgeous panorama ... a living story ... a vivacious narrative
imperturbable in interest on every page, always fresh and personal and
assured.... This is not a novel—it is a library. It is everything that
one needs to know about the public life of the significant classes in
England for last twenty-five years.”—_The Dial._
“Mr. Wells, at his highest point of attainment.... An absorbingly
interesting book ... consummate artistry ... here is Wells, the story
teller, the master of narrative.”—_N. Y. Evening Sun._