STEPPING HIGH

By Gene Markey '18, Garden City, N. Y. Doubleday, Doran and Co. Inc. 1929.

Here is a story which is truly delightful. Its plot, characterization and dialogue is constructed for purposes of humor only. Yet, in his insight into human nature, in the relations between a man and his wife, in his treatment of that very fundamental quality, sincerity, Mr. Markey goes deeper than at first appears. To my mind the characters are more than Broadway types. Underneath and in the background they act and think as many men and women act and think everywhere. There are simple unspoiled men in every community; almost any country village is shamed by possessing at least one woman who is a social climber. The sad part of the whole matter is that not always in real life do we fully appreciate such a man's genuineness, nor always is social sham so ruthlessly held up to the light of day. A happy ending, "a big time vaudeville contract," comes more often in a story than in real life.

It appears to me that the most humorous and distinctive characteristic of this novel is its dialogue, or rather its "lingo." The simple straightforward ideas are expressed in a novel way, which we, the uninitiated, associate with the theatrical profession. Not only are there wisecracks, but in many a term of phrase, there is real humor. As to situations developed in the rather simple narrative, two brief newspaper reviews which I have seen have each commended different ones. This is good evidence that the entire story will hold the reader's attention. Reviews from Chicago newspapers appear more favorable than those from Boston, the supposed critical center of the universe. This is more evidence that the story is agreeable reading. Like the principal character, Benny Darrell, the author is sincere through and through. This story will probably not be reprinted in the series of the world's classics, nor find a place on anybody's five-foot shelf. It did give this reviewer a pleasant two hours, a number of chuckles, and leaves an agreeable memory. What more need we ask of any story?