MODERN FICTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3718, 2 January 1913, Page 8

MODERN FICTION.

AN ARCHBISHOP’S DENUNCIATION. Speaking at Edinburgh the other day. Dr. Lang, Archbishop of lork, referred in indignant terms to some of our modern fiction. He said :

"I am sick of his hot, panting, bleareyed fiction of the present day. lhis twentieth-century fiction is obsessed with the sex problem, and that not m its oldest, simplest, happiest, o'l- - tragic form, but simply in its relation to sexual passion.” All publishers and authors do not agree with this condemnation, and below are a few interesting opinions: Mr. A". H. W. Mason, novelist and ex-MiP.:— “1 certainly believe the general standard of excellence in fiction is higher to-C;**- than ever it was befct-e. On all sides are signs of progress and development. The very fact-that women writers have increased so largely in numbers is a sign of progress. I feel that the Arohbishop’n statements are too sweeping, and leave out of consideration such a large output of excellent fiction.” Mr Charles Garvice, novelist: "The allegation is quite unjust. Never was the generality of fiction purer or more unobjectionable. The exceptions are rare and inconspicuous.” Mrs Mary Grant, authoress and traveller: —"Decidedly the Archbishop of York is wrong. There is plenty of good, strong, wholesome fiction written by both men and women to balance the decadent stuff which no one is forced to read.” Mr William Hoinemann, publisher: •—‘‘l do lint believe the Archbishop knows very much about fiction, or read manv novels.” Mr Warner Laurie, publisher: ••The modern readers insist that their fiction shall deal with the problems they see around them. Mediaeval plots are no use now. ‘The Fairchild Familv’ is quite dead.” Mr. Stanley Paul, publisherT disagree entirely with Dr. Lang. The sentimental novels of last century are infinitely more destructive of character, iIS novels can be said to affect character, than the realistic novels of to-day. But novels have practically no effect upon morals; they are the expression of an already existing moral state.” Messrs Chapman and Hall, publishers:—"There is 110 doubt much trutri in the Archbishop’s criticism. We lit-vie always set our faces against'un- !'<•{. Itbv fiction.”