Books Reviewed

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 851, 20 December 1929, Page 6

Books Reviewed

A TO Z ANB sometimes wonders how our essayists—such an army have they grown to be—manage to continue unearthing subjects to write about. Mr. Belloc writes a masterly little treatise on “Needles” and is followed by Mr. Christopher Morley with one on “Safety Pins.” The safety pins spur Mr. A. P. Herbert into action, and the world is the richer for six merry pages on “Gluepots.” Mr. Chesterton then remembers that he has had two consecutive silent days and emerges with “Chalices and Steeplejacks.” Mr. Lucas and Mr. E. V. Knox and Father Ronald Knox and the rest of them cannot take this lying down . . . and we read essays on teealingwax, gamboge, aspidistras, arteriosclerosis and superphosphates. Oue of these dreadful days they will *iiave run right through th* dictionary and will arrive at Zymosis. And when a light essay has been written round this unpleasant disease which Mr. Webster so long hesitated to mention, what will be the prospect for our essayists? They’ll have to invent a few new words, of course. And Mr. J. B. Priestley, always in the van, has used a new creation for a book of essays which bears the strange title, “The Baleonniny”—a term invented by a young member of the Priestley elan to do service for the shorter and easier “balcony.” If there be any who still remain unaware of it we may point out that Mr. Priestley is one of England’s best essayists. He writes with such delicacy of humour and such abundant grace that one feels the same anticipatory pleasure in handling one of his new books as one feels when the cobwebbed bottle of the vintage year, stored away for the great occasion, is brought forth with fitting ceremony. “The Balconniny.” Methuen and Co., Ltd., London. Our copy from the publishers A Delightful Book It has taken New Zealanders a long time to realise that here in the Dominion we have a poet who is affectionately regarded by poets overseas and whose verses definitely place her iu the small vanguard of writers whose work has been accomplished in the southern hemisphere. Many of Miss Duggan’s poems have appeared In The Sun. Frequently they are set in a minor key—for Eileen Duggan is a Celt—and invariably they are characterised by their fervour and their absolute sincerity. This little lady, who lives so quietly in Wellington, has done more than any of our writers to hymn the beauty of New Zealand and among the most delightful of her lighter efforts must be ranked her New Zealand Bird Songs. These songs will live. Only the actual reading of the poem could convey the grace and the charm of her singing

verses to the kuakas assembled at Reinga for their great flight. Her little poem to the pipiwhauraroa—the word, given its true values, is a song in itself! —is a gem to treasure. And here is a threnody on the passing of the huia . . . here songs for the bittern, the woodpigeon, the weka, the kea, the kakapo, the gannet, the kiwi (and what dignity is in this kiwi poem). All of them are a delight and should awaken our pride in possessing a writer of such calibre. Mr. C. A. Marris has been responsible for the production of the hook, which is of very pleasing format and a volume so different from those usually given to the poets of New Zealand that it will be surprising when the great merit of its content is also taken into consideration, if “New Zealand Bird gongs” is not one of the most eagerly sought gift books this Christmas.

“New Zealand Bird Songs.” Harry H. Tombs, Limited, 22 Wingfield Street, Wellington. Our copy from the publishers. Price 3s 6d.

Tasmania “The Speck,” as Australians affectionately term Tasmania, has always been noted for its natural beauty, its mellowed old colonial buildings and its delightful atmosphere of tranquillity. That atmosphere is admirably reflected in the special Tagmanian Number of “Art in Australia” (Third series, No. 30), just issued. Here are reproductions of watercolours of the capital when it was Hobart Town, and Tasmania was Van Dieman’s Land, and colour plates that delight the eye by Harold Herbert, J. R. Eldershaw, Daryl Lindsay and J. Connor. Old houses always present an appeal to Mr. Sydney Ure Smith and his charming water-colour, “Brisbane Street, Hobart,” is one of the gems of many fine plates. Camera studies of Tasmanian scenes have been freely reproduced—in each case a most artistic study. The letterpress is supplied by the Director of the Tasmanian Art Gallery and Museum, Mr. Clive Low. This number contains also an interesting section devoted to industrial and applied art, richly illustrated. “Art In Australia.’’ Tasmanian Number. Our copy from the publishers, Art in Australia, Ltd., 24 Bond Street, Sydney,. New South. Wales. Fade Out! In “On the Screen,” Mr. Robert who planted the “Garden of Allah,” has chosen France as the setting for a romance and, as his heroine,, a film star of note. She was formerly 1 a lady of the half world, but having developed her mimetic gifts and exploited her personality to the best advantage she finally became noted for charm the most unprecedented. Like the horsewoman who rode a white palfrey to Banbury, she spread music wherever she went. . . Mr. Jack Richborough, Englishman, makes for himself ah opportunity of meeting Mile. Durier—the Madame Bartet of the Screen —but just as the plot has thickened to the right consistency and Mile. Durier has issued an invitation to M. Richborough to accompany her to the wilds of Djibouti, or some other outlandish place, for the purpose of shooting a wild film or so—promise of good hunting!—Mr. Hichens steps in and empties the brew, packs off Mr Richborough to London in a class-conscious mood and bundles Mile. Durier oft to the third oasis on the left as one enters Africa —which is rather mean of Mr. Hichens, isn’t it? “On the Screen.’’ Cassell and Co., London and Auckland. Our copy from the publishers. In the Land of Temples “Shiuju,” by Mr. H. B. Drake, is a romantic tale of Japan in which the author most brilliantly captures the atmosphere of the Orient and demonstrates that he possesses more than a cast-" 1 knowledge of Japanese psychology. This is the tragic tale of the beautiful love of a young Japanese girl and an English lad, born in

j and speaking tlie language fluently. Their love, unhappily, was doomed to frustration. Episode in plenty, excellently limned characters and vivid pen pictures mate “Shinju” a refreshing contribute —■ to modern fiction. “Shinju.” John Lane the Bodley Head, Ltd., London. Our copy from the publlshers. Mystery in a Storm j All the essentials of a really good j mystery-romance assemble temptingly | in the early pages of “The Empty I Villa,” Mrs. Victor Rickaru’s newest ' novel. We have the mysterious | woman, the storm, 1 dank, deserted house, the other woman, and the inevitable young man who appears at just the right moment and enters into the subsequent action as if he had no other worldly care; all introduced in a series of neat, effective sketches that grip one’s imagination in spite of their staccato tempo. Later the story settles down to the smooth movement of a well-written mystery tale. The adventures of Cyprian Stenhurst, who seeks to unravel the confused problem of Diana Palliser, a'nd the machinations of the blackmailer, Sir Ulick Lawson, who covets a wonderful emerald, spin out a story that might have been more shortly told. Mrs. Rickard, author also of “The Passionate City” and half a dozen, other tales, mostly mysteries, is not a littie reminiscent of Agatha Christie without that writer’s ingenuity, but with more than her share of narrative ability. “The Empty Villa,” by Mrs. Victor Rickard. Hodder and Stoughton, Ltd., London. Our copy from the publisher’s Sydney representative, Mr. W. S. Smart. Intrigue in Paris Why “Rich Brat”? Here is a delightfully fresli and entertaining novel by Forres't Wilson and he gives it the uninteresting title of “Rich Brat,” which fconveys nothing of the charm of the novel. The story centres round the famous Paris house of the exclusive * dress designer, C liar my. Into the net of intrigue which surrounds such an establishment comes a successful but unsophisticated American buyer. His native wit is no match for that of the Parisians and he is soon involved in a devastating affair with a beautiful Russian “princess,” really Charmy’s confederate. Eventually the American, having lost everything in entertaining;' the “princess” and, ashamed of ’his adventure, disappears into the Parisian underworld. Prom this environment he is rescued, by a little American girl from Charmy’s establishment. “Rich Brat,” of course, has the usual happy ending, but there is compensation enough in its brightly written pages. Cassell and Company, Ltd., London, Melbourne and Sydney. Our copy comes direct from the publishers. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED The “8.P.” Magazine. —Admirably illustrated and produced. Published quarterly and edited by Miss Dora Payter. Volume 11, No. 1. “Bib and Bub.” —No introduction is needed to these famous nude gumbabies from May Gibbs’s brush. This time Bib and Bub have their adventures set in Gumnut Town. A delightful book for the tiny ones. Printed in colour. Our copy from the publishers, Angus and Robertson Ltd., Sydney. Stead’s Review. —Second number under new aegis. Interesting- reading. “Aussie.” —Plumbers’ Number. And all the jokes do not refer to tools left behind! December issue.