Books Reviewed

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 483, 12 October 1928, Page 14

Books Reviewed

MARY WEBB. MR BALDWIN’S enthusiastic discovery of Mary Webb, not long ago, gave her a fame which not the regular praise of good critics, not the profound admiration of friends like John Galsworthy, not the award of a very honourable prize to “Precious Bane” could win for her. She was already dead when the Prime Minister uttered his delight in her work, and directed thousands of readers to it; but one may guess that she would have valued his eager tribute more for its own sake than for the popular rush which followed it. For she would have known that her work must find its true and constant lovers by quiet, lonely approaches. It is not a popular ration, enjoyed to-day and forgotten to-morrow. But a collected edition, novels, stories, and poems, is welcome. Its volumes will please many for a few hours—they will capture a few for ever; and on both grounds Mr Jonathan Cape ought to be thanked for his service. The first volume, “Gone to Earth,” introduced by John Buchan, shows the working of the same poetic and realistic power which reached a richer development in “Precious Bane.” It Is a novel thoroughly individual in beauty—Mary Webb felt and thought and worked apart. She neither imitated nor has imitators. The Collected Works of Mary Webb. Vol. I, “Gone to Earth.” With an intro Auction by John Buchan. Jonathan Cape. Our copy from the publisher. A Colourful Romance. When Fate decreed that Alistair Mclan, scion of a noble Highland family. should incapacitate himself within easy distance of a lonely cottage, wherein dwelt an equally lonely and red-headed- damsel, and that the said damsel should nurse him back to health, everything pointed to the fact that subsequent events would become rather interesting, and that Alistair would figure prominently in them—especially as red-hair was one of his pet aversions, and also that, officially, he was in love with a music-hall actress. They were and he did. And Mr Maurice Walsh tells us all about it in his latest novel, “While Rivers Run." It makes delightful reading. “While Rivers Run.” Maurice Walsh. Cornstalk Publishing Co. Our copy from Angus and Robertson, Ltd. Villainy and Romance. Vengeance and treasure-trove among the islands of the Malay Archipelago are the underlying themes of each of the four stories contained in Frank L. Packard’s book, "Shanghai Jim.” As pretty a collection of rogues and Seadevils, sturdy heroes and romantic heroines as you could wish to find anywhere, are to be encountered in the pages of this book. Not since “The Adventures of Jimmie Dale” has Mr Packard written

anything better calculated to fire the imagination than these yarns of piracy, sudden death, and romance in the tropics. “Shanghai Jim.” Frank L. Packard. Hodder and Stoughton. Our copy from the publishers’ Australian representative. Harassed Royalty The Prince of Ambania, young and adventurous, had no desire for the exercise of whatever transmitted kingly qualities might have been in him. He knew the perils that Ambanian rulers had to face; therefore he had no wish for a convenient marriage with a lady whose ample capital would be used to place him on the throne. So he ran away. It is this running away, and the adventures that befell the prince retreat,

that form the plot of an agreeable and refreshing novel by George A. Birmingham, a story-teller of resource and delicate touch. It Is in Fennand, Connaught, that he finally fetches up, and by oddest chance finds there the lady of wealth from whom he has fled. A mystery man, the people of the village decide that he is a refugee from the law, and therefore he soon finds himself a popular hero. In the end the wedding bells he sought to escape ring merrily. The story, a pleasant romance, is told with skilful suavity, and there are glorious dashes of humour and satire by way of interlude. “The Runaways,” by George A. Birmingham ; Methuen, London. Our copy from the publishers. “Customer Finding” A tonic for pessimistic sales-man-agers, small traders, and business men generally, is provided by Herbert N. Casson in two recent works on modern business-getting methods—- “ The Art of Customer Finding” and “Better Salesmanship and Twelve Tips on Finance.” The latter is really two works in one volume. Both books deal with the art of creating sales and contain more commonsense business philosophy and practical information than is to be found in many of the expensive salesmanship Courses at present on the market. The author writes as one who has been “among big business” and has studied the growth of industry in its varying forms from the small trader to the big manufacturer. He argues quite logically that the day of the small trader has not gone, and that he has as many opportunities now as in the past. “Most people do business. A few people build business. There Is a tremendous difference.” Thus argues the author, and he shows the difference in plain terms, supported by reference to specific cases in our modern business world in a manner that has an irresistible appeal to every man who hopes for success. “Twelve Tips on Finance” is the result of observations made during 20 years’ association with the Stock Exchange. “The Art of Customer Finding” and “Better Salesmanship and Twelve Tips on Finance,” by Herbert X. Casson. Both works come to hand direct from Angus and Robertson, Sydney.

WOMAN TO WOMAN

Though one cannot honestly say that it seems to be a “burgeoning of Australian literature,” a slim little book entitled “My Dear,” by Margaret Herron, is certainly remarkably well written. Limiting herself to the form of the letters of one woman to another, the author has given us Intimate glimpses of half a dozen arresting people, and built up an interesting and perfectly natural story. The writer of the letters, “Margaret,” is rather a delightful creature, sensitive and sensible, outwardly calm and commonplace, but really a woman of wisdom. Character is revealed rather than drawn in the book. Margaret Herron has style and subtlety, and it is a pity that her title, “My Dear,” is not a more arresting one. * ‘My Dear,” by Margaret Herron. Published in Australia by the Cornstalk Publishing Co., Sydney. Our copy comes from Angus and Robertson, Sydney. A Lover of Books. Mr Scott Macdonald knows his books and writes very agreeably about them and round about them. Some 30 essays of his, mostly reprinted from the Brisbane “Courier,” appear in “A Bookman’s Essays,” and will be enjoyed by that leisurely company who agree that books are good, and talk about books is good, and books about books are good. It is not necessary for the last to be highly original, full of strenuous critical exercises and explosive of established reputations. On the contrary, reader and writer go most comfortably and companionably together when they jog along through the familiar country that never grows tiresome, and the reader can nod his head complacently and say “Dm” and “Ah” and “Yes” with Infinite content all the way, and only now and then an “Oh” of pleasant surprise. Mr Macdonald has a well-stored mind, he writes about books and their writers affectionately, sensibly, genially, and with some humour; but he neither provokes that disagreement which is the stimulus to fresh thought nor persuades to that agreement which is fresh illumination. But why should he? One enjoys his conversation and does not look for argument. Only—why does he say that Elia “used to make unchivalrous remarks about the literary labours of the first Duchess of Newcastle”? “A Bookman’s F.ssays.” Scott Macdonald. Angus and Robertson, Ltd. Our copy from the publishers. Thrills In Big Doses. In too many of the so-called mystery thrillers that find their way to the market these days the only element • of mystery is their passing the publisher. Consequently, those whose taste in literature runs to this class of

fiction appreciate a good story when th<;y get it In his latest book, “The S , ta!n ’” Mr J M - Walsh tells f 00(3 story well. The plot is original and well worked out. Allan Dale, a young and enthusiastic detective, death on crooks, pits himself against a gang Of unscrupulous blackmailers. A sudden death or two, a little kidnapand ’ course, the inevitable romance, whioh Edith Barstone supof tbVin 1 "® eI ® ments in a book brimful the oVdina*" aCti ° n> aDd q " lte ° nt ° f cop > comes from the publishers. Society Again. J^, er , 6 ls . some Quietly excellent t C u h r^ ter ,? eplction in “The Turn of tne Wheel, by June March. Stories of modern “society” have been so and often in the last few years that they have begun to pall; but this one has points of difference that make It acceptable. Into the hectic life of a certain London clique came Peter tempest, a stranger to his surroundings. His temptations and problems make a by no means uninteresting book. The unpleasant side of the picture is not unduly accented. Though brought to notice in a subtle fashion, it is never obtruded, which stamps the writer as different from some others. All through,, the book has a genuine, telling ring, with something of idealism at the back of it. A sound work, this one. ™‘J h e. Turn of the Wheel.” June March. publisher. 3l Press ’ ° ur cov>y from the Publications Received “The Month.” —September issue. A splendidly-produced souvenir number of the Eucharistic Congress, containing many excellent illustrations. “Aussie.” October issue. WageSlaves’ Number. New Zealand edition. The usual cheerful publication.