Consequences

A profoundly moving novel that marks a distinct advance in the work of the brilliant daughter of Mrs. Henry de la Pasture and author of "The Pelicans," "Zella Sees Herself," etc. An entertaining novel, in Miss Delafield's accustomed vein of establishing satire and perception, but dealing strongly and adequately with real tragedy. A treat lovers of good books cannot afford to miss. "It is a brilliantly and convincingly painted panorama of the life and growth of one family." -The New York Times "A new novel by Miss E. M. Delafield, a capable English woman, who writes satirical books about convent-life. The central figure of this story is Alex Clare, a Catholic girl who from her nursery days till the end of her life is abnormally sorry for herself. The author carries Alex to a Belgian convent-school where we are asked to believe that she grew up without any knowledge of God, her religion or of herself. Disappointed in love, she enters the convent owing to her attachment to a particularly impossible mother superior, and as was to be expected, leaves it." -America "The story depicts the tragedy of a wasted life. Alexandra Clare had everything: a good home, brothers and sisters, nurses, a mother who was an ornament to her social circle, a kindly correct father- but affection and wisdom were singularly lacking in the forces that guided her destiny. She scrapped her way through the nursery with her brothers and sisters; led a starved life in a Belgian convent for five years; went through the contortions of London society with a shivering heart; deluded herself with the semblance of a love episode, but awoke in time to break off the engagement; threw herself into the arms of Catholicism, expecting to find love and warmth there; gave the best years of her youth to a stifling formalism and extricating herself too late returned to a disintegrated and alien family. Only once she did not fall: when she sought peace and found it in the slimy ooze of a muddy pond - and, 'Alex was such a pretty little girl,' was her sister Barbara's epitaph for her." -Book Review Digest "Psychologically well done, and interesting but painful." -Booklist "Her earnestness carries conviction." -New Republic "It is honest reading." -Review "The novel is keenly analytic....It is admirably detached and workmanlike; it is deeply studied and artistically sincere....The intelligence of honesty of Miss Delafield's work never cease to hold the reader's admiration." -Springfield Republican "Drawn with subtlety and insight.: -The Times of London