MISS LYTTLETON GIVES VIEWS OF MODERN NOVELS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 32, 1 November 1937, Page 5

MISS LYTTLETON GIVES VIEWS OF MODERN NOVELS

Some mdicatioii of tlie trend of modern novels was given by Miss Edith Lyttleton, well-known as a novelist under the name of G. B. Lancaster, who arrived at Auckland by the Awatea after spending ovcr tlireo years in Sj'dney and Tasmania. Miss Lyttleton has come to Auckland to rest after 'having completed her latest hook, ! "Promenade," for the publication of which she has signed jin American contract. "The neurotie style of novel is passing away, and writers are getting back to a saner and healthier type of book," said Miss Lyttelton. "It seems evideht that there will always bo more frankness in novels from now on, but the exploitation of th« purely unpleasant, Which enjoyed a certain vogue not so' long ago, has had its day. I tliink English literature is franker than American in some phases, possibly because Engiand is more closely in toucli with the literature of such other counitries as Russia gnd France." Miss Lyttleton said that a type of novel. which . had come to stay was the "family" novel — the book which started jts story many years ago, and worked down gradually to the present day, bringing in perhaps ture generations of - one family in the process. With jnore leisure for reading, people found thfs type of novel more satisfying, and ; books . being expensive luxurics, they naturally wanted all they could get for their inoney. ' Referring to Australian and New Zealand literature, Miss Lyttleton said she hoped Australian novelists were trying to develop an Australian type of : literature just as she hoped the New Zealanders were. A comparatively new country ought to have a fresher outlook on certain points and should not be too cramped by old beliefs and conyentions. Writing a New Zealand novel with a New Zealand setting was not much use unless the writer tried to look at it from the point of the people living in the country . It was a great mistake to bring an English or American viewpoint to a hook with a New Zealand setting. '"I think Australian writers are living in a> financial vacuum," said Miss Lyttleton, cominenting upon publishing difficulties in that country. •"! would like to see in Australia a more modern publishing system operating with a clearer, vision for the future. One improvement would be advanced royalties, however small, and a gradual -increase of pejrcentages should take the place of the present flat rate. When publishers have the acumen to see this. there is every reason to believe that Australia will develop a powerful and original literature. At present there is ■ vefy ■ little incentive. No author wishes a publisher to be a philanthropist btii he does expect a certain amount of* intelligent and financial assistance. Until that happens, most Australian writers will continue to go abroad and write about other countries."