Maugham Mauled

GIN AND BITTERS -- A. Riposre -- Farrar & Rinehart ($2.50).

Last October appeared William Somerset Maugham's Cakes and Ale (TIME, Oct. 6). Sharp-eyed critics soon announced the story was founded on less-known, less respectable episodes of Thomas Hardy's life. Hardyolators were indignant. Their indignation may be mollified by "A. Riposte's" riposte. A much more savage, more personal attack on Maugham than Maugham ever made on Hardy, the book would have been instantly disqualified by the late great Marquess of Queensberry, frowner on fouls.

Leverson Hurle (Somerset Maugham), struggling but coming writer, had cast off his faithful mistress Lizzie with hardly a qualm, and when he got a job as secretary to rich, eccentric Mr. Stoddard, filled in his spare time by seducing his employer's wife. When the affair was discovered, Hurle was considerably annoyed, but finally married Mrs. Stoddard because she had money and position, both of which he badly needed. Then he climbed to fame. Every year brought him bigger royalties, more acquaintances, fewer friends. "He used people without any sort of scruple: accepted their hospitality and kindness, and put them bodily--their most private affairs, their loves and hates and sorrows-- into his books. For though he was acclaimed as a great writer he was quite unable to work without someone actual to work upon."

He traveled extensively, lived several years in the Orient. Wherever he went, he was welcome only once: former hosts cut him on the street after they had appeared in his pages. An old man before his time, friendless, lonely, he died in the arms of the only person he had ever cared for, his old mistress Lizzie.

The Author. Publishers Farrar & Rinehart stoutly withhold the real name of "A. Riposte," admit the author may reveal him (or her) self later. Whoever the author may be, he (or she) is obviously a good friend to Novelist Hugh Seymour Walpole (pilloried in Cakes and Ale as "Alroy Kear"), obviously has been at pains to ferret out Maugham's career, obviously has a grudge against Maugham. Mindful of possible libel action. "Riposte" steers clear of any reference to Maugham's effeminate men friends (TIME, Oct. 6). Says Publisher John Farrar: "English publishers are cabling violently. ... I feel as though I were sitting on a volcano."

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.