Books Reviewed

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 423, 3 August 1928, Page 14

Books Reviewed

LAST, BUT NOT LEAST TP the test .of an incredible story be its power to entertain tbe reader, Captain Wren’s latest novel, “Beau Ideal,” is beyond criticism. It is tbe last of the Geste saga, and, like its two preceding companion tales, compels rapt attention from the intriguing prologue to a terse epilogue. Critics of literary technique easily could And many flaws in the fabric of the tale, but, in following the amazing adventures of the incomparable Geste boys, the gallant officers and soldiers of the Foreign Legion, -and those American Arabs. Buddy and Hanks, sheiks and sentimentalists—who would pause to cock an eye at fantasy or to challenge forced artifice? Still, though no one likes to abandon a gold-mine, the author has done wisely in putting a finish to his overworked theme. The prologue itself is a stark tale of the cruelties desert tribes and desert places are quick to inflict on foreigners and Foreign Legionnaries. Compared with the resourcefulness of Toureg warriors and their wives, the Spanish Inquisitors were merely crude apprentices to the trade of torture. In the main story the skilful teller of tales recounts all that was left out of the second book of the saga—- “ Beau Sabreur” —and puts straight and complete the history of the Geste lads, and their American friends. And the work has been done with extraordinary skill. Of course, to those who had read “Beau Geste” and “Beau Sabreur,” there is inevitably some repetition in "Beau Ideal,” but it is not tedious repetition; while to those who read the third of the series alone, there is no flaw at all. The main theme explains the experiences of Otis Vanbrugh and John Geste, whose love for the same Englishwoman, and for one another in spite of a healthy jealousy, was greater than the love of David for Jonathan. Vanbrugh, the American, whose life was shared by an Arab dancing girl, a passionate lover at first siglit, is enabled to rescue John Geste because of his promise as an honourable man to return from Oran and marry her. He meant to keep his word. But after every mystery had been cleared up,

and every adventurous difficulty overcome, he learnt that not even a chivalrous man may marry a sister. His hypocritical Puritan New England father had been a hunter of curios in Northern Africa. That is the core of a splendid story. “Beau Ideal,” by Captain P. C. Wren. John Murray, London. Our copy from Robertson and Mullens, Ltd., Sydney. An Old Favourite "War Birds,” delightful jottings of an unknown American aviator which recapture, in 200 pages or so, the whole spirit of the overseas man at the war, has been reprinted by the enterprising Cornstalk Publishing Company of Sydney in a cheaper and smaller edition belonging to the Platypus series. This diary, which has created a sensation among eclectic readers the world over, is in places poignant, in others uproariously amusing. The narrator of tales of stupendous parties behind the lines and stupendous efforts over the lines has a racy style and a whole-hearted admiration for all things British. “War Birds ’ is one of the most striking books prouuced in the immediate post-war period. “War Birds.” New edition. Platypus series. Our copy from Angus and Robertson, Ltd., Sydney. An Auckland Author Despite its rather sombre title there is the tang of healthy adventure in Sydney G. Attwell’s novel, “Drifting to Destruction.” The author is a propagandist pure and simple, though his message is excellently concealed

in a well-written story.- He came to Auckland from South Africa four years ago, convinced that unless the present policy of the whites of the Union was altered dire calamity would follow. In “Drifting to Destruction” Mr. Attwell traces events which lead to a native rising. His hero, a young forest ranger, endeavours to warn the whites of the activities of a “Cambridge-educated nigger,” who leads the blacks, but they regard him as a fool. Through the book runs a charming little love story, in which the heroine masquerades as a forest poacher—a masquerade which is not exposed until the last chapter. Mr. Attwell knows his South Africa intimately and gives us glowing pictures of its beauties, its possibilities and its tragedies. His close association with the natives allows him to write with force and conviction, and one feels that there is some foundation for his desire for segregation of races in the Union of South Africa. “Drifting- to Destruction," Henry Walker, London. Our copy comes direct from the author, Victoria Street, Auckland. Three Wayfarers. “The Wayfarers’ Library” remains one of the very pleasantest of what is now a considerable number of reprint series. The three newest volumes are W. Scott Durrant's “Cross and Dagger,” Charles Lee’s “Our Little Town” and “A Modern Miscellany,” chosen by E. F. B. The first is a thoroughly good story of the famous “Children’s Crusade,” early in the 13th century; the second is a book of Cornish sketches, including one, “Mr Sampson,’” of which the dramatic version was distinguished by the British Drama League; and the third is a collection which would be worth buying if only for the sake of Georg© Santayana’s “Heathenism.” But there

is more to reward the venturer of a florin—excellent pages by G. D. H. Cole on Robert Owen and by George Sampson on Walter Bagehot, for instance; by Sir Arthur Keith on Darwin and Bishop Gore on Renan’s Life of Jesus —“Everyman” prefaces, these, to volumes lately reviewed here; and, easier in charm, Hudson’s “Tbe Samphire Gatherer” and Gardiner's “On Taking a Holiday.” Vols. 129, 130, and 131 in “The Wayfarers’ Library,” J. M. Bent and Sons, Ltd.: “Cross and Dagger,” W. Scott Durrant; “Our Little Town,” Charles Lee; and “A Modern Miscellany.” Our copies from the publishers. Powerful Writing. Sparing and nervous in style, “Tho Pure in Heart,” by Jean Kessel, one of the best of living French novelists, is more than a striking piece of -work. It is a masterpiece of story-telling. The book comprises his “L’Equipage” and three stories, published under the title “Les Coeurs Purs.” Kessel is an observer, fulfilling the duties of an ideal reporter, unbiased, and stating exactly what he sees. “Pilot and Observer” is the story of a young flying cadet in the war, who has to be observer to his mistress’s husband. The narrative of his feelings and adventures, and the pilot’s—each knowing the other’s fear —is enthralling. Then there are the three short stories, based upon the instincts of the human heart, which, the author claims, are always pure. He draws a picture of loyalty triumphing over love in the Sinn Fein rebellion; virginal beauty conquering the lust and blood-thirst of a madman; and the pride of a broken beggar. The scenes are in Cork and Paris. These tales are so translated as to have the authentic energy of fine original work in English. “The Pure in Heart.” Jean Kessel. Victor Gollanez, Ltd., London. Our copy from the publisher. Romances of the South Seas. In many parts of the myriadislanded Pacific there are islands that have known pirates and wreckers even in the present century, before the police-boats of certain Great Powers extended their patrols, and before communications were speeded up. A great field, this, for writers of thrilling fiction. Few, though, have written as if they really knew the South Seas. Mr Basil Carey is one of the exceptions, and he is, too, a very able spinner of a brisk narrative in which the characters are not bloodless wraiths. Anyone who knows something about the South Seas and who wants an exciting story can be recommended to “The Dangerous Isles” and “The Dreaming God.” One is a tale of stolen pearls; the other has a different kind of piracy and ship-wrecking in it. The present writer enjoyed both some little time ago. They come now in cheaper but admirably-produced editions, with the Constable hall-mark in format and type. “The Dangerous Isles” and “The Dreaming God.” Basil Carey. Constable and Co., Ltd., London. Our copies of both books from the publishers. This Delightful Slaughter What an age! Every bookshop a shambles, and every stage streaming with synthetic gore! Week after week the slaughter goes on—6s a book is the usual cost, and detectives exercise their nimble wits by providing exercise for their readers. “Who killed Mrs. Devonport?” is the latest query. We hand the laurel wreath to Anthony Gilbert, whose pen performs the nasty deed. He gives us a really good mystery story. Mrs. Devonport is beautiful. Years before the story opens she had an affair of the heart with Sir Denis Brinsley. On the eve of his wedding to an heiress he calls on Mrs. Devonport, who he finds is in the toils of a blackmailer. She demands money

| —he refuses. Next day the lady is j found in her flat, strangled to death. \ That should whet the appetite of | every mystery story reader. Need we ! say more than this: Mr. Gilbert has constructed an excellent plot, his characters are alive, and his denouement as unexpected as it is exciting. Read this one on the tram or in the train.

“The Murder of Mrs. Devonport."—Our copy comes direct from the publishers, W. Collins and Co., Ltd., London, Glasgow, Sydney, and Auckland.