Away From It All
WONDER what your choice of escape litera-ture-as they call it nowadays-happens to be. Mine is the thriller novel. They're such comfortable things. I can always go to sleep right in the middle of one when I want to. I suppose that sounds nonsense. Thrillers are supposed to be the stories that make your hair stand up on end and waggle. They’re supposed to harrow you and batter you. Well, they don’t have that effect on me. Just occasionally I read one that really does thrill me because the people in it seem like human beings and the things might really have hap-
pened to you and me. But generally they’re such obvious makebelieve that they can’t touch you -not the real you. They just serve to distract you and keep those tiresome thoughts in check and those horrid worries round the corner. And then, they’re such comfortable reading in one way. You know they’ll end happily. That’s absolutely the rule
about thrillers. Good always conquers. he villain is carried off to the police station and justice. Personally I like the kind best where he pulls a little tablet out of his pocket and, before the police can
do anything about it, swallows it and falls dead at their feet. I suppose that’s what’s called cheating justice and it always seems to annoy the clever detective tremendously, But I prefer that kind of ending myself. Anyway, whether he kills himself or not, the villain is always laid low in the last few pages. He’s got to be. Thrillers are like that. But life isn’t, you say. What does that matter? Haven’t we enough real life all about us — too much — and haven't we lots of clever young people writing about it-oh, so realistically-with tragedies and disappointments and anti-climaxes on the very last page and an ending that sends you sobbing to bed. . . Speaking for myself, I’ve lots to cry over just now without looking for it in books. . . So let’s be thankful for thrillers and all those harmless books that end with weddings and legacies and general fun, They’re much jollier to go to bed on. -(Mary Scott, "The Morning Spell: Take Down A Book,’ 2YA, August 24).
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19400830.2.12.1
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 62, 30 August 1940, Page 6
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371Away From It All New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 62, 30 August 1940, Page 6
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Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
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