A BOX OF FICTION

The Watch, by Carlo Levi (Cassell, 15s.). Post-war Italy. Scenes, personalities and events in unified theme of the oneness of time. Measured and effective.
The Net, by John Pudney (Michael Joseph, 12s. 6d.). Psychology of a traitor in group of scientists. Top secret tests. Security measures. Realistic and absorbing. The Inmates, by John Cowper Powys (Macdonald, 12s. 6d.). Mental home from point of view of inmates: their ambitions, desires arid contrasting philosophies. Much of it interesting; all of it untemal.
The Golden Hand, by Edith Simon (Cassell. 12s. 6d.). Medieval England. Building of cathedral by craftsmen of one village. Love, hate, witchcraft, leprosy, battle. rebellion, murder. Very solid reading.
The Magnificent Failure, by Ruth Feiner (Hutchineon, 10s. 6d.). Post-war bitterness. Jew, ex Nazi, Belgian girl, divorced couple. Four major problems dealt with dramatically and with sense of moral values.