SOURCE: "An Author Divided Against Himself," in The Spyglass: Views and Reviews, 1924-1930, edited by John Tyree Fain, Vanderbilt University Press, 1963, pp. 29-34.

In the following review, which originally appeared in the Nashville Tennessean on February 3, 1929, Davidson discusses what he considers the artistic failings of Heyward's third novel, Mamba's Daughters.

DuBose Heyward has enjoyed a considerable popularity in the last few years, and has been looked on as a leader among the new writers who have brought the South forward in literary matters. That the popularity is well deserved, I think no one can deny. But Mr. Heyward's third novel, Mamba's Daughters, shows him to be wavering between the demands of his own artistic integrity and the demands made by outside influences, including no doubt the public, the metropolitan critics, and the publishers—all three as likely to operate for ill as for good.

The memorable Porgy was...