Queen She, by Victoria Farlow (Harrap, 15s). The treatment of a story whose scene is set in an old ladies' home could easily err in the direction of morbidity, but Victoria Farlow's sense of humour is strong enough, and her sensitivity sure enough, to prevent such being the fate of "Queen She".
The patients exhibit a wide variety of character and temperament, as well as of eccentricity; this lattter will be no surprise to those who possess any experience of institutions where large numbers of people of differing tastes and preferences are grouped together for most of their time.
For those who enjoy their reading light, and perhaps have some experience of the way in which the old can play up the young who attend them, Victoria Farlow's book will doubtless provide an entertaining afternoon or two.
WILFRED BULLETT