AT SWIM-TWO-BIRDS

Graham Greene has given this effective bit of literary in-breeding a mighty sendoff, and in the limited circle to which this book will gravitate there will be many assenting voices. More inclined to satirical dalliance than Cyril Connelly, whom he resembles, the author gleefully weaves and bobs his way in a Sterne-like fashion through styles and modes in Irish literature. The novelist arises sleepily from a bed on which he has reclined a large part of twenty years, writes about dimly derivative characters in a novel: these characters then proceed to write about him. Also the reader finds that the literary traditions of Ireland are given malicious treatment — the popular adventure novel, Joyce, ancient poetry, "working-class" poetry, and the Celtic legend, represented by Finn Mac Cool and the wild Irish kenning. A very funny book, but special.