BOOK NOTES

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 5, 21 June 1928, Page 3

BOOK NOTES

(By '' OBSERVER, >')

Collins Bros., Ltd, announce a new novel by Miss Rose Maeauley called "Keeping Up Appearances." It is written in the author's usual witty style, and. lias received very high commendation from the English critics. The theme of the book is the effort made by a young lady to make a good impression on those around her, and especially with the young ihian to whom she becomes attached. She involves herself in. money difficulties, embarrassments w\and deceits, both conscious and unconscious, and represents in excess what is •considered to be a common element in human psychology—the inclination to adapt oneself to one's company, and to live a private and secret life that differs whether much or little from the life shown to others. Miss Macauley is a relative of the famous historian Lord Macauley.

Aloysius Horn's book describing 'The Ivory Coast in - Barries," which waspublished, last year was one of the outstanding literary successes of the year. Jonathan Cape announces the publication of the book which was promised to succeed the first one, and which has - ibeen named "Harold the Webbed." As before this book is also edited by Mrs Ethelreda Lewis" to whom we are xeally indebted for our knowledge of this remarkable old man. Mr John ■Galsworthy called "The Ivory Coast in the Earlies" a gorgeous book, and tens of thousands of Teaders agreed with Mm. "Harold the Webbed," says Mr MeFee in his introduction, "is the naive bod-time fairy story of an aged adventurer who has preserved, through a lifetime of extraordinary experiences, the fabulous imagination, of a child. And it is the author's complete obliviousness of modern literary technique •which evokes in ua an almost breathless fascination." Whilst the •book is a work of fiction the editor has continued ~th.e plan which she employed so successfully in "The Ivory Coast of the Earlies * ' and records at the end of each chapter the conversations which took place when the author delivered each portion of the manaiscript. "The Old .Visitor" is thus given the opportunity to yarn and philosophise in his own inimitable manner. The New Zealand j price of the book will probably be 6/-. j Margaret Pedlar's next book which ■will be published late in the year, is to be called « ' The Guarded Halo.'' It is said that Mrs E. M. Hull has already received £15,000 for.the film and serial rights of her new novel "The Xion. TameT," which, as stated previously, will be published shortly by Nash and Grayson. Collins Bros' spring list is particularly -strong in western and detective fiction. In the western section Robert Ames Bennett has three books to his credit. Desert Girl," The Cow Country :KilleiV awl "The Two Gun Girl." JPrank C. Robertson has "The Boss of the Tumbling H," and "The Boss of the Double E.E. Charles Wesley Sanders has. "Corral Riders," and W. D. Tuttle , "Hashknife of the Canyon Trail." The authors have been great sellers in America, and ~the publishers look foTward to times ■when their names will be as well known «is those of Clarence Mulford, Zane ■Grey, Patterson White and dias. Alden Seltzer. In the detective section, the list is headed with "The Mystery of the Blue Train," by Agatha Christie, -whose reputation increases with each book she publishes. M. Poirot emerges from his retirement to solve yet another baffling crime problem. His ingenuity in the "Murder of Roger Ackroyd," -was amazing, whilst his desperate conilict with "The' Big Four" provided a series of memorable thrills. In "The Mystery of the 'Blue Train," he achieves with the aid of his "little 4jpray cells'' what is perhaps his great§Mst personal triumph. Lynn Brock, who made a name' for himself with "The deductions of Colonel Gore" calls Ms mew story "The Slip Carriage." Hulbert Fultner is represented on the same frm's list with "The Queen of Clubs" -wherein he treats crime as '' Big Business ''' showing how elaborate schemes by master criminals are foiled .after many thrilling adventures and hairbreadth escapes. It is a story as exciting as any of those which have "hitherto come from Hulbert Fultner V -pen. ' * The Net Around Joan Ingleby,'' by A. Feilding and "The Murder of Mrs Davenport," by Anthony Gilbert, •complete the most interesting list. Cassell's are again to the fore1 with a new book by Sheila Macdonald called ** Margaret Verring, Rhodesean." Read-

ers of "Sally in Rhodesia," and "Martis and Others," will look forward with pleasure to -the publication of this book, which should appear shortly. The fact that the author is a New Zealander, and known, personally to many in the district should stimulate the sale of the book. The Cornstalk Company of Australia has just issued a very fine cheap edition of "Sally in Rhodesia," which sells in New Zealand at 2/6. At this price a copy of the book should find its way into every home in the country. The book has a charm all its own and there are few indeed who. cannot respond to its quiet humour.

According to latest advises the books most in demand in Great Britain are as follows: "The Poor Gentleman," lan Hay; "Iron and Smoke," Sheila KayeSmith; "Debonair," G. B. Stern; *l Kitty,'' WaTwiek Deeping; * ' Keeping Old Tree Blossomed," Ernest Raymond up Appearances," Rose Macauley; 'The and "So Much Good," Gilbert Frankan.