Mosquitoes

MOSQUITOES--William Faulkner--Boni & Liveright ($2.50). A dozen mosquitoes gather on a yacht in southern waters. The mosquitoes are: unctuous Mrs. Maurier, queen mosquito, owner of the yacht, collector of eccentric celebrities; over-mannered Mr. Talliaferro, who carries a malaria germ of artistic small talk; Jennie and Pete, lower order of flies-by-night invited on the party by Patricia, a young mosquito who, none the less, administers the most powerful sting. Other insects--an author, a smalltime poet with a dull buzz, a sculptor--swarm drowsily in the lethargic air. Love affairs, talk, small business, occupy their time until they all go home again to New Orleans.

Written in the mood, somewhat in the setting of South Wind (sophisticated classic by Norman Douglas) this book has some of its characteristics--a sharp satire, a style of suave surprises. But through its pages blows not a strong and pungent sirocco; instead a slow and tepid wind in which insects may hover lazily. Author Faulkner in this casual and breezy work seems always on the verge of an important irony which he never produces. His second novel is a step up in technique, a step down in importance from his powerful Soldiers' Pay,