Books Reviewed

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 525, 30 November 1928, Page 14

Books Reviewed

CHRISTOPHER ROBIN AGAIN /CHRISTOPHER ROBIN, having begun his schooldays (vide daily Press), Mr. Milne has apparently decided that there shall be no more

tales of Pooh and Piglet—after this one. We must regretfully bow to his decision and lament the fact that richly-dowered young Christopher Robin has shown such a regrettable tendency to grow up. But as Mr. Milne expressed it; "It isn’t really good-bye because the Forest will always be there . . . and anybody who Is Friendly with Bears can find it.” But what the lugubrious Eeyore and

Owl and Tigger (a new and bouncing addition to the Forest family) are going to do without their resourceful chieftain simply won’t hear thinking on, for it is ■well known that Pooh is not cut out for leadership, even now that he has received the accolade and must be addressed as Sir Pooh de Bear. But he has not lost his powers as a poet, and that is something. The “hums” he invents about this and that for the delectation of his friends are “hums” of the first water. "The House at Pooh Corner” is a worthy successor to the Christopher Robin fantasies that have gone before it. It is a masterpiece of whimsy. The drawings of Mr. Shepard are wonderfully wedded, as usual, to the text of Mr. Milne. No youngster’s Christmas stocking will be deemed complete without the newest (and final) adventures of Christopher Robin in the Forest. “The House at Pooh Corner.” Methuen and Co., Ltd., London. Our copy from the publishers. A Milne-Shepard Calendar The enterprising House of Methuen has issued a Christopher Robin almanac for 1929. It is admirably produced and contains for each month appropriate verses from the famous Christopher Robin series, with the equally-famous Shepard illustrations. Margaret Preston’s Art Some months ago we reviewed in these columns the volume of “Art in Australia,” devoted to the work of Margaret Preston, probably the most brilliant exponent of still life in Australia to-day. Mrs. Preston’s flower studies have a freshness, a charm and a harmony of composition that has made them keenly sought after by collectors the world over. Art in Australia, Ltd., has now produced two coloured prints of a larger size than can be issued in magazine form. One is of a golden spilth of wattle and the other of vivid gum-blossoms. The price of these reproductions, eminently suitable for gifts, is half a guinea each. Margaret Preston Prints. Art in Australia, Ltd., 24 Bond Street, Sydney, N.S.W.

What Happened in the Attic? Mary Roberts Rinehart, who gave us a thrill a minute in “The Bat,’’ an excellently-dovetailed mystery that defied professional flaw-pickers, has many novels to her credit. Her newest, “Two Flights Up,” provides a good evening’s reading. It has a pleasant element of mystery, an exciting chase, a clean love story and the most intriguing jacket which gives a replica of the house in which, two flights up, such strange things happened. The spot marked “X” is always a winning card in these productions. Mrs. Rinehart knows her business well, and has drawn her characters most effectively, particularly the objectionable and yet rather pathetic mollusc, Mrs. Bayne, and her slave sister and daughter. The males who rescue these two from thralldom are also flesh-and-blood folk. If Mrs. Rinehart wrote the book (as one would naturally suppose) with one eye on Hollywood, she should have an easy road to royalties. The “Who-Done-It?” drama, as one American critic has so brightly dubbed this class of production, still has a powerful vogue. “Two Flights Up.” Hodder and Stoughton, Ltd., London. Our copy from the publishers’ Sydney representative. Bright Bertram. Inns spirit of brisk adventure, its laughter-provoking situations, subtle thrusts, and ingenious unexpected developments, and its dash of that courage which reflects youth’s attitude toward life in 1928, “The Careers of Bertram Barrington,” is a book to buy for the eager pleasure it will afford. Norman Venner is the author. The book bubbles over with humour and optim*. ism. “The Careers of Bertram Barrington.*' Norman Venner. Cassell. Our copy from the publishers. For the Sentimental. The day of the sentimental novel has not yet passed, for in “Traceries” Olive Wadsly has written a story that exudes sentiment from the first line. It is the love affair of an English girl for an Austrian, fair, of course, and debonair, and with a devastating manner. He sweeps the English girl of 18 off her feet and a marriage is arranged. Then came the Great War and the two were parted. The author depicts the emotions of the two during that trying time and the endeavour to pick up the threads of romance at its conclusion. Lovers of the Sentimental with a capital S will find their tastes well catered for. “Traceries.” Olive Wadsly. Cassell. Our copy from the publisher. Sergeants and Subalterns Not even the most confirmed pacifist j could fail to be amused at Anthony 1

Armstrong’s sketches of “Warriors Still at Ease.” As a hallmark of their quality it is enough to mention that all these sketches are reprinted from “Punch.” They form the second series of “A.A.’s” glimpses of the lighter side of Army life and old friends, Captain Bayonet, Sergeant-Major Magazine, Sergeant Grenade, Corporal Foresight and Private Pullthrough, make a welcome reappearance. They have lost none of their youthful enthusiasms, and the callow subalterns, sophisticated sergeants and “timid” privates are as pleasing as when Mr. Armstrong first took Mr. Punch’s readers to Havershot with him. “Bridge played in the sergeants’ mess is different to bridge played anywhere else,” we are told, but everything that happens in the Ypres Barracks is decidedly different and the reader’s anxiety io discover what this joyous band of peaceful warriors will think of next keeps him chuckling until he joins in the ultimate triumph of Captain Bayonet. “Warriors Still at Ease,” by Anthony Armstrong. Methuen and Co., Ltd., London. Our copy from the publishers.