Cirrus@Austlit

A lunatic's tale. A visitor to an asylum hears the tale of an inmate's headstrong girlhood. A writer, she could not bear to be good and sweet like other girls though she assumed the role long enough to win the man she loved. He dislikes her strong opinions, her dancing and her colourful costumes, and is increasingly attracted to a pretty modest girl. His fiancee is increasingly jealous and decides at last to kill her rival - for which attempt she was placed in the asylum. Engrossing subject, interesting style. The sadness of the tale continually interrupted by the direct, outspoken spirit of the speaker. Question of what is seen as a woman's disturbing behaviour and what is madness. (PB)