Pinned by the Panther

THE BELLS OF SHOREDITCH by James Kennaway. 211 pages. Atheneum. $3.95.

The hero who rebels against the heartless corporation is old hat, but British Novelist (Tunes of Glory) James Kennaway has given it a new crease. His rebel becomes a capitalist himself, and feels the better for it.

Broad-bosomed, asthmatic Stella Vass has vague socialist principles and treasures a few memories of exhilarating political outings. She despises her weak-kneed husband Andrew, who slaves away in a demeaning job in a London bank. Trying to describe him to a friend, Stella explains: "Have you ever opened an egg and found nothing but a little dried-up tissue and hot, smelly air inside?" She goads him to stand up to his boss, the formidable J. T. Sarson.

But Sarson is no ordinary caricature of a capitalist. He is a suave banker who hurts others most when he is being helpful and who always gets what he wants--but quietly. Andrew loves and fears him as a father figure. Socialistic Stella is also attracted by this man of power. "With Sarson," she muses, "it would be like being pinned down by a big panther, and evidently I want to be pinned down by a big panther."

Banker Sarson soon deposits her in his bed. Ironically, at that very moment, Andrew summons up the courage to challenge Sarson. He has discovered that Sarson, who is also a director of the Bank of England, has used his inside knowledge of the Bank's decisions to make a killing. Andrew spreads the word about, but he has not reckoned with the solidarity of the British Establishment. The honor of one of its members impugned, the Establishment closes ranks and freezes Andrew out. A director of the Bank of England threatens to sue him for defaming that venerable institution. Sarson summons him, bullies him until he collapses in tears. His wife lets him know that she has been sleeping with Sarson.

Sarson is not content with victory; he knows how to make corruption complete. Full of magnanimity, he visits the Vasses and hints to Andrew how he, too, can make a killing. No sooner has Sarson left than Andrew is on the phone to his broker, all business and no principle. His wife finally flares with passion for him. Another Sarson is in the making.

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