On the Staff

There is a great deal of promise in Radcliffe's new literary magazine. That "Radditudes" is not a finished publication from either a literary or makeup point of view is inevitable in any first volume by an amateur group. And it is also not surprising that an unmistakable though possibly unconscious grasping for the "New Yorker" short story style is evident in some of the contributions. But "Radditudes" is making a fine effort towards providing the Cambridge scene with an undergraduate magazine that is neither flippant nor academic--a task that Harvard seems unwilling to tackle.

Lou Worley, contributor of two short stories, is clearly at home in the form of writing in which the central characters' thoughts take the place of dialogue and the awkward conversation of most amateur pieces is neatly side-stepped. Immediately noticeable is Miss Worley's economical and effective use of words. Only an unnecessary first paragraph mars here technical effort. "The Enigma," her heavyweight contribution dealing with love on idealistic and physical levels, has many fine observations and insights. The sensitive theme is handled maturely and whether or not the psychology of the story rings true probably depends to a large extent upon the reader's own experience.

The "New Yorker's" neurotic hand is heavy in Jean Janis' "Kate," a tale of a sadly unadjusted Radcliffe Freshman. Just why Kate is so much like a fish out of water never becomes clear, and since Miss Janis cannot say anthing with the dexterity of the average "New Yorker" contributor, her effort is not good reading. And the less said about the poetry the better, except that the Radcliffe and Harvard bards might find some truth still lingering in the old advice about inexperienced writers sticking close to the realms of their own experience.

But the sum total impression of "Radditudes" is a good one. Better non-fletion and less pretentious poetry should be "musts" for the next edition. And more cuts and cartoons could be added to break up the monotony of printed lines. When these improvements are added to the fine short story nucleus apparent in its pages, "Radditudes" will take its place as a publication that has something to say and deserves to be read by all members of the University.