Brief Notices

Reviews 283 BRIEF NOTICES American Theories of the Novel: 1793-1903. By Sergio Perosa. (New York: New York University Press, 1985. 243 pages, $11.50 paper.) In this readable and evocative reprint, the well-known Italian scholar systematically traces the development of nineteenth-century theories of the novel—historical, romantic, realistic, regional, naturalistic, veritistic, impres­ sionistic, and new romantic. American novelists themselves furnish most of the speculation, mainly empirical poetics rather than philosophical theory. The obsessive question during the last century—how to make an American novel out of American materials—becomes in time how to make a novel. Chapter 6 (“Genteel Realism and Regionalism”) and Chapter 7 (“Natural­ ism, Veritism, and Impressionism”) are of particular interest to students of Western American literature. Perosa’s method—apprehending the growth of nativism in the context of a general history of literary ideas—obstructs parochialism. MARTIN BUCCO Colorado State University Mistaken Lights. By Gary Schroeder. (2640 E. 12th Ave. / Box 715 / Denver, Colorado 80206: Wayland Press, 1985. 51 pages, $7.00.) These poems by Colorado poet Gary Schroeder—about neighbors, lovers, children, and friends; about birds in flight, corn stalks under the snow, reflec­ tions in small ponds, and the last leaves of an oak tree—have a common thread. From poems about death (such as “An Elegy in August”) to poems about birth (such as “Late Spring”), a thread of gentle melancholy touches each word. The reader is not saddened by this, as it is neither pessimistic nor morose. It is instead quietly revealing of the “mistaken lights” of life—those promised glories that, once grasped, hold meanings other than what we expect. CHARLOTTE M. WRIGHT Utah State University 284 Western American Literature A Woman of Genius. By Mary Austin. Afterword by Nancy Porter. (Old Westbury, New York: The Feminist Press, 1985. 321 pages, $8.95.) Reprinting A Woman of Genius, first published in 1912, makes a signifi­ cant contribution to feminist literature. Nancy Porter’s Afterword restores Austin to her proper place as a writer and early feminist. By comparing Austin’s life and career with her fiction, Porter shows that Austin was part of a tradition that explored the themes of women’slives and work. A Woman of Genius examines theconflict between awoman and her talent asa tragedienne, and that talent and the society against which Olivia Lattimore struggles to be both woman and artist. VIRGINIA C. PARKER Logan, Utah Morelos of Mexico: Man of Hopes. By Starr Jenkins. (San Luis Obispo, Cali­ fornia: Merritt Starr Books, 1979. 91 pages, n.p.) From humble beginnings as a mestizo mule-driver, Jose Maria Morelos educates himself, rises in the Catholic Church, fights and eventually dies as a key figure in Mexico’srevolution against Spain. Jenkins’play tends to sacrifice character to event, mired in historical detail and disquistion. At best, it cap­ tures some of the romance of the period, replete with bandits, corrupt govern­ ment officials, and the necessary love story. ADEN ROSS Utah State University Pearl. By Patricia Shirley. (P.O. Box 249 / Big Timber, Montana 59011: Seven Buffaloes Press, 1986. 36 pages, $4.50.) In this poetry collection, imaginary Pearl Kline tells of growing up in the remote Cumberland Mountain area. Also, described in four historical poems, are the hopes, despairs and endurances experienced by Pearl’s ancestors as they settled what was then the western frontier. CHARLOTTE M. WRIGHT Utah State University Reviews 285 The Undersides of Leaves. By Joseph Hutchison. (2640 E. 12th Ave. / Box 715 / Denver, Colorado 80206: Wayland Press, 1985. 56 pages, $7.00.) They are more than love poems. They are more than nature poems. They are more than elegies. In these poems are the gathered and recombined images, emotions and senses usually associated with such poems, but the author’sdeft hand has produced instead some unusually satisfying verse which transcends the mundane poetry one sooften finds in small press offerings. CHARLOTTE M. WRIGHT Utah State University Drawknife. By Doc Dachtler. (Winters, California: Konocti Books, 1985. 37 pages, $8.00.) As Gary Snyder says in his foreword for this book of poetry, Doc Dachtler “has made . . . daily work his source,” resulting in poems which are “close to the home bone.” I found...