Books Reviewed

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 465, 21 September 1928, Page 14

Books Reviewed

“A NUMBER OF THINGS”

Those who are familiar with the “London Illustrated News” will know the natural history essays of Mr. W P. Pycraft. The author of these informative and easily-digested articles has gathered a number of them into a, volume entitled “Random Gleanings from Nature’s Fields” which, with the addition of close on 100. illustrations, is a valuable book for the man blessed with a family of know-ledge-seeking youngsters. There is quaint hunting here. Your average man, for instance, would regard the jellyfish as the least predatory denizen of the sea. In reality, the jellyfish is rapacious and its vibrant tentacles are a menace to all tlie small fry that swim within its range. Here is a note on a monster yet to be discovered. . According fo spoors and native tales this fellow, who stalks abroad o’ nights, is a combination of horse, hyena and the extinct giant ground sloth! On another page we learn that the , syrinx which produces such glorious melody from the throat of the nightingale is the same in every respect, except size, as, that of the common or garden crow. If you would learn of the domestic

habits of the barnacle, of the ac-cordeon-pleating on rorqual whales, of the blind bat’s accuracy in night flying, of the difference between the mermaid of fiction and the mermaid of reality—the unlovely and oleaginous Miss Dugong—read “Random Gleanings.” How many of those who glance at this review know that the sea-horse, as he curvets along some marine Rotten Row, carries eggs round with him, he being too indolent (or too superior) to build his good mare a nest? These things and others you must know. '

“Random Gleanings from Nature’s Fields.” Methuen and Co., Ltd., London. Our copy from the publishers. Ruined Abbey Mystery

An apoplectic father who, fortunately, is killed off before he is able to carry out his amiable intention of forcing his pretty daughter into a marriage with an unpleasant Fortu-guese-Jew; some nice young people of both sexes, a ruined monastery, and

a plentiful sprinkling of police officials form the basis of Basil Thomson’s story, “Carfax Abbey.” As a former chief of Scotland Yard, the author might reasonably be expected to be more familiar with the art of tracking down criminals than with the art of words. His style is rather stilted, but his working out of the plot, in spite of meticulous detail regarding police methods of elucidating mystery, makes quite interesting

reading. Carfax Abbey has none ofthe clanking chains, sliding panels and ghostly prowlers which, thanks to the influence of Edgar Wallace, one has grown to expect from such a setting. Nevertheless, the element of mystery is well sustained. “Carfax Abbey.” Basil Thomson. Methuen and Co., Ltd. Our copy from the publishers. Grim, However good for people it may have been, according to all the Labour authorities, the Russian Revolution had one very tragic aspect. That was the exile and impoverishment of thousands of Russian aristocrats and supporters of the old regime. These had to seek a living in another land, in unaccustomed ways, and woe betide the weakling. Most of them seemed to drift to Paris, scene of their earlier opulence, and the life of the Russian emigres in Paris is the theme of “Princes of the Night,” by Joseph Kessel, one of. the leaders of the younger French school. Such a theme gives Kessel great scope for his undoubtedly fine descriptive pen, and in the book he etches on the mind some grim scenes and grimmer happenings.' He takes for the supporting cast princes-turned-lackey.s, offieers-turfied-chauffeurs, grand ladies fallen low, and for heroine, a beautiful Russian girl, who

by necessity, and because of a rash avowal of love, Is degraded step by step till she becomes a walker of the night clubs of Montmartre, and then is saved. This book is grim, but absorbing, and by no means morbid. Some English novelists could take a lesson from this young dispicple of —Zola, shall we say? Jack Kahane does admirable work in translating it. “Princes of the Night.” Joseph Kessel. The Richards Press, London. Our copy from the publishers. The Lost Commander. Mr Ben Strong mixes a good three hours’ entertainment in his story of the missing naval officer. Commander Griffith Leigh did not turn up to his welding. His bride—and ,there —■ were more than a little concerned. Would Mr Adrian Criddle, criminologist and emeritus professor of Higher Mathematics at Camford University (Cam-bridge—Ox-ford: see? Very neat, that) care to find him? Admiral Sangier had sent him off to Shingleholme on a secret, service mission. But what? Unfortunately, only the Admiral had known, apart from the Commander; and the Admiral had inconsiderately died, three days before. So Professor Criddle set out on the job. And we shall say no more.

“The Secret of Gnome Head.” Ben Strong. Hodder and Stoughton. Our copy from the publishers’ Australian representative. “The Hostage” In his monumental volumes, “The Dawn of Catholicism in Australia,” Father Eris O’Brien gave a vivid and romantic account of the arrival of Father Jeremiah O’Flynn in New South Wales in 1817. Now, for the purpose of enforcing the significance of this event, he has written a play, “The Hostage,” in which he dramatises the incident, and endeavours to show the effect that It had on the lives of the Irish Catholic* exiles in the convict settlement. Father O’Flynn, after six months of ministration, was deported, and once more the shadow fell upon the faithful. Father O’Brien has constructed a good, sound play that unfolds itself in a leisurely and convincing manner. There is pleasing vitality in the historical characters he has created, and the dialogue is brisk and sparse. There are light interludes which give added effect to the tenser scenes. He has followed the Irish dramatists in method, but he has strong enough individuality to be much more pleasing than an imitator. “The Hostage,” a Miracle Play, by Father Eris O’Brien. Published by Angus and Robertson, Sydney. Our copy from the publishers. Simple Char-r-rm Sir James Barrie once wrote to Maurice Walsh: “I am enamoured of your book and stop to give you three cheers.” Mr. Walsh, author of “The Key Above the Door,” has now followed up his earlier success with “While Rivers Run,” one of those simple tales full of that almost forgotten quality—charm. It is an admirable tale, simply and beautifully told. The atmosphere is redolent of Scottish moors and salmon streams with excursions into society and stage life and the deftest touch of mystery, though not after the manner of Mr. Edgar Wallace—thanks be! Sir James Barrie is not the only one

who has fallen under the spell of Mr. "Walsh's healthy books. We have not read “The Key Above the Door,” but it could scarcely equal the charming simplicity of “While Rivers Run” or the lively love story which sparkles like the salmon stream. “While Rivers Run.” Cornstalk Publishing Company. Our copy comes from Angus and Robertson, Sydney.