"SPUR OF MORNING"
Mr. Alan Mulgan's first novel, "Spur of Morning," which is published by Dent, will bo read with the greatest interest by a large number of New Zealanders, and the general verdict on the whole- is likely to be favourable. The strength of the novel lies m its background, Mr. Mulgan having admirably succeeded in giving the story a real New Zealand setting without any laboured effort. Contrasting with the reality of tho setting is the seeming unreality of the story itself, but this seeming unreality ■ is due to the fact that the story is laid thirty or forty years ago when New Zealand and New Zealand manners and customs were very different from what they are today. The story gains added interest from the fact that one of the central characters is the famous Eichard John Seddon in thin disguise. "Spur of Morning" is a novel of politics and football, and perhaps to some readers there'will appear to be a surfeit of the latter. The hero is Mark Bryan, the son of a poor man with Irish blood in. his veins. Early in his school days he becomes a marked figure since he refuses to cheer with the rest of his class a British victory in the Boer War. After a brief acquaintance with a newspaper office, he goes to the University, and becomes the hero of tho hour by scoring a spectacular try in a football match. He throws in his lot with the Labour Party, but his outlook broadens and, disillusioned by political jobbery, he finally marries a capitalist's daughter. ■
Such is the bald outline of the story through which many characters flit, rather too many intact to give the story real coherence. But this minor fault is amply made amends for by the skilful way in which the author writes about theless pleasing aspects of political life. . Mr. Mulgan knows the ropes and does not hesitate to let the light shine in the dark places of our; political machine. "Spur of Morning" will add to the literary reputation already acquired by the author. •
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19341013.2.216.1
Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 90, 13 October 1934, Page 24
Word Count
349"SPUR OF MORNING" Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 90, 13 October 1934, Page 24
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