FICTION IN 1897.

After a long course of realism, a reaction towards supernaturalism in fiction was to be expected, and consequently, perhaps, the most marked successes in 1897 were achieved by works with a distinctly religious flavour, such as " The Christian," or those belonging to what has been termed the " Brimstone School." These latter works depended for their interest mainly on the introduction of his Satanic Majesty—or some evil influence, or being—into everyday life. The Brimstone series probably originated with Miss Marie Corelli's " Sorrows of Satan," and was continued by such works as " Flames," by Mr Robert Hichens , " Dracula," by Bram Stoker , and Mr. H. G. Wells's " Plattner Story." The more luridly sensational the novel was, the more eagerly was it sought by the public, and the probability is that the popularity of the sulphurous novel will not wane for some little time to come. The success of the year was undoubtedly " The Christian," which aroused the furious animosity of some critics and the enthusiastic praise of others. The controversy was fierce for some time, and Mr Hall Caine and his publishers reaped a rich harvest in consequence.

Of course, though there is a fashion in fiction, as in everything else, there are vast numbers of people who "read anything " that interests them, and therefore beside the main current in 1897 flowed others almost equal in volume.

For instance, the " Kailyanr " novels of Barrie, Crockett, and Watson were in steady demand, though then popularity showed signs of waning, while novels of pure adventure experienced quite an average demand. A class of novel that came into vogue some two years ago met with continuous approval—viz., the tale that while strongly imaginative, retains some groundwork of scientific possibility, such as Mr. H. G. Wells's " Time Machine," or, as a better example, the same writer's magazine story, " The War of the Worlds " (not published in book form in 1897).

The problem, or social, novel had by no means disappeared, and writers like Hardy, Sarah Grand, and George Egerton had wide circles of readers. In this connection it may be said that worlds of the realistic school which have a serious and honest purpose to serve, such as the improvement in the lot of woman, amendment of marriage laws, and general improvement in social manner and customs, show signs of enduring, while those which mainly pander to sensationalism of a somewhat animalistic kind quickly disappear.

As to individual writers who scored successes during 1897, mention may be made of (besides Hall Caine) Barry Pain, with " The Octave of Claudius," which appeared first in " The Ludgate ; " Marion Crawford, with," A Rose of Yesterday " Mrs. Steel, with " On the Face of the Waters ," and Richard Harding Davis, with " Soldiers of Fortune. " Amongst writers of " the Australian school," Louis Becke, with " Pacific Tales," and E. W. Hamming, with "My Lord Duke," met with a fair amount of success, but there was no boom in colonial literature.

On the whole, the quality of British fiction in 1897 was high, and the quantity, despite the Jubilee celebrations, which depressed the book market almost to vanishing point, up to the average.

As to what direction fashion will take in the present year it is not easy to foretell, but should political unrest continue to obtain, what may be termed "National " or political novels may commence to appear towards the end of the year.

 The Sydney Morning Herald 29 January 1898,