The Woman's Point of View

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 3, 3 August 1928, Page 42

The Woman's Point of View

By

VERITY

Result of "Favourite Novels" Competition

o, eye SED 0 EBS (1) CED () EI 0) ST () ERE () CER EEE ED) ERNE () OME) AE) ER LAE) EDEN OED LEMP EDA IO EY 0 IED) SER EDC SE EO LIE ‘ O UR monthly competitions for woinen readers cover literary and domestic activities. By this means we hope to exchange many useful secrets of good housekeeping, and also to bring to light considerable literary talent. The competition for this month is the "Better Way’ No. 3, closing on August 24. The rules will be found on this page. | | | | | | : ) : | ) : + 26) EP OE) OCD Oa oace ¢,

HE result of our first Literary Competition has been extremely gratifying, the general level of the entries being high, many competitors revealing an attractive faculty for expression in this form. Two first prizes have been awarded, one to "Isabel Emm" and the other to "Olive," the entries of these competitors having been judged equal in the merits of terseness of explanation and appreciation | of the salient characteristics of the chosen book. The choice was a difficult one, as the literary standard was_ excellent; several of the other contributions appear in this issue, and will receive payment at space rates.

~VERITY

(ed()AI0elu 4r(}4 () I(e 99 {Penny Plain:

(By

O.

Douglas

OME years ago, on my birthday, among other attractive-looking parcels waiting for me, I espied one which (from ‘its unmistakable shape) 1 cleverly decided was a book! *Aal" T cried in glee, pounced on it, and, on opening it, I saw the title "Penny Plain." by O. Douglas. The name itself intrigued me, and as soon as possible I delved within. I do not know how many times I have turned to it, enjoying it with always the same sense of refreshment. Its erisp humour, its delightfully human element. and the clear atmosphere of

the little Scots community. make it like a draught of spring water on a stifling day. It is a novel that reeecives you as ¢ friend, and so natural and real are the characters that you are one with them, and appreciate comfortable "Mrs. Me-Cosh’-glory in "The Mhor’s" origin-ality-sympathise with bluft Jock, love the Macdonalds, share David's enthusiasms, and rejoice in "Penny Plain’s" slice of twopeuce coloured in charming "Pamela" and her brother. Tears and laughter, hopes and fears, love and kindness---of such is this book

ad surely of such is our own life

Eira G.

Moore

"Alice For Short."

Bv

William de

Morgan

WILLIAM DE MORGAN’S whimsical literary style will always have for me an especial appeal, and I think it is manifested at its best in "Alice for Short." The author so thoroughly knows and so tenderly loves his Alice that I perforce must hold them both in my heart. The story is a very human one, and Alice's varying fortunes are recounted with-to me-a satisfying wealth of cetail. Never once does the gently huee (a> SE ELE (EID (EEE ER OSE eee, fe Ee

morous style fail, nor the readersthis render's-interest flag. I have alWays appreciated a real literary style apart from the subject-matter of the story, Which-may not in itself be of absorbing interest, but when one meets with William de Morgan’s characteristie style combined with his gift of story-telling, a find indeed is "Alice for Short" and her creator, so old and wise with his smiling ironical philosophy of life, And, lastly. I like the volume because it is "different." and so far removed trom the usual light tiction of

these modern dlays of OUrs

D.F.

W.

"Beau Geste."

(By

P. C.

Wren

BLIVIOUS of everything else, still with a sigh of complete satisfaction, I turned the last page at 2 a.m, I am now an ardent admirer of P. C. Wren as the author of "Beau Geste." The supreme artistry of that prologue! How many authors would dare open their story with its climax? But then it took a master mind to create such an uneanny, baffling series of mysteries-that grim watch of dead. men, the missing trumpter, the bayonet, the vanished corpses, the "Blue Water," and then-the fire! Who could put down the book at this stage, until one knew the answer? And the tantalising interesting part about it is, that the suspense is sustained up to the very last page. Wren’s characters are human. .The Foreign Legion, hitherto a mere name, becomes terribly realistic. Of course, loveable "Beau" claims my hero-wor-ship, but loyal Digby and John are both "stout fellas,’ too-and how whole-heartedly I hate their enemies. Here, at last, is-a really. "different" book. The "love-interest," that allpervasive theme of the modern novel, an.

i- | "THE STORY OF AN AFRICAN FARM."

(By

Olive

Schreiner

HIS is the aye vf realism in literature, but unfortunately much that is necessarily erude hides the beauty of that ezacting truth, »hose garments writers of to-day are striving to grasp. This does not happen in the case of the little governess, Olive Schreiner, very young,.avjectly poor, lonely, and uneducated, who yet could acrite that wonderful amasterpicec, "The Story of An African Farm." There we have the wntraminel‘ed ideas, tico decades before her time, but tempered with most idealistic thought, which makes this work remembered when much modern fiction is forgotten. It is just a record of the lives of simple souls on a farm in oldtime South Africa, but it has a breadth of vision whieh is an inspiratior to those who read, and shours a perfect conception of truth and profound humanity. The book has an added charm. During the course of its stirring narrative the authoress was tH spired to insert an allegory which surely must be one of the finest pieces of prose ive possess "-yet so appealiny in its simplicity that a child might read avith understanding und profit. This small gem of uplifting thought, with its imaginative grasp of all the poetry of life, love, and endeavour, is the very essence of genius. May there follow more acriters like Olive

Schreiner.

Isabel

Emm

0 RD) (AE 0-E PD () D ( ED EED OEE OEP EEE "BETTER WAY" COMPETITION No. 3. MONTHLY PRIZES. LX. women whose homes are to them a source of abiding interest and delight have their own treasured secrets of housekeeping. It may be an unusual recine. a scheme for brightening an uninteresting room. a labour-saving notion, an idea for decorative work. a dress or toilet hint. or a pet economy. There is always a special method of performing various household tasks-the "better way." The "Radio Record" offers a prize of half-a-cuimea each month until further notice for "Better Ways" from our women readers. The right is reserved to publish any entry net awarded a prize on payment of snace rates. Entries must be written in ink. on ONE side of the paner only. and the name and address of the comnetiter shovid be writfen on the back of each entry. When more than one "Getter Way" is submitted by the same competitor, each entry must be written on a separate sheet of paper. 7 The decision of the Editor is final and binding. A nom-de-plume may be used if desired. The August "Better Way" Competition closes on Aucust 24, and the result will he announced on the women’s page on Friday, August 31. All entries to be -addressed: "Verity," c/o "Radio Record,’ Box 10682, Wellington. 60) 1 0 0) OES OE OES EOE OS OE EE OE OED 0 SPURS 0 CREE OEE 0 ATE) SR 0 CED SEO SR

\ | "IV A SHANTUNG GARDEN." |

(By

Louise Jordan

Miln

[ delightful language this book offers an insight into the ordinary everyday life of a forcign country, and the beautiful Old World traditions that have gone to the building of the compler, yet apparently simple, characters so cleverly drawn. Tt fully discloses the almost unbelievable respect and homage paid to the mothers of men, and the ancient customs and ceremonies which go to make up the daily life of the people. Apart from the entertainment provided by a perusal of its pages, the boot proves a wonderful fount of knowledge to dwellers in more civilised eountrics. The unselfishness and power of venuneiation exhibited bu the reroine, a beautiful highborn girl, whose life of simple purity is blessed avith all that parental Tove can bestow, sur prising as at 4s, compels wnbounded admiration. The power of her fascination is shown bY the profound devotion of the hero. A consideration of the natural description of the.intensely citltivated gardens, of the almost superstitious faith attached to certain yvouwers and plants, of the personal affection lavished on many blooms inakes entraneing reading. The volume is all the more satisfying beeause of its portrayal of novel and unique

surroundings.

Olive

cae es plays a very small part, and yet serves its purpose in contributing towards a

satisfactory ending.-

Vivat

"Searamouche."

(By

Rafael

Sabatini

66 QCARAMOUCHE," by Rafael Sabatini, is my favourite novel, The literary style of the writer appeals to me in every way, The scenes are laid in picturesque old France, than which there can be no lovelier setting: then the historical interest is not lacking, leading up, as it a to the first steps of the Revolution. To follow "Scaramouche" from the quiet village to the city of Rennes, ‘there by his "dangerous eloquence" to do-.his best to avenge the death of his friend Vilmorin, and when he had thoroughly roused the inhabitants, to vanish, thus living up to his name, is intensely interesting. _ His next adventure, working up the trouve of M. Binet, to such a suecessful _comnany, and eventually using it as a means to further his private hatred of M. de La. Tour d’Azyr, and his again vanishing when thing's were in the worst state of chaos. -Tastly. the skilled swordsman, using that skill to further the cause he was upholding. and incidentally doing his best to kill his friend’s murderer, only to find that murderer to be his own father. | The love interest is there, but as an under-current. rather than the theme: so that everything to make a snlendid novel is collected and told in Sabatini’s inimitable stvle, in "Seraramouche,’-

Helen

Wake

"Sally in Rhodesia,"

(By

Sheila

Macdonald

GALLY. in the most fascinating of letters, written in a particularly: sparkling and amazingly open style. allows quite an extensive glimpse of her life in Rhodesian, One gZasns with horror at the terrible domestic tragedies that Sally encounters. and evokes scowls from one’s family the next minute, by Ioud laughter at the extrnordinarv doings of Whiskey and Sixnence. the two native servants, who like most of their kind do not concern themselves with anything pertaining to hygiene, and bring one to feel more

i i decidedly than ever that ignorance is bliss. The rather frequent babies, ineluding most energetic twins, will assuredly bring forth a "poor thing" from many a tender-hearted mother; however, the tremendously optimistic Sally generally manages a laugh in times of disaster, even though it be at herself, and somehow the trouble dwindles considerably. Those who are interested in flowers are charmed by Sally’s gardening activities, and although she has an enormous number of enemies in the way of peculiar kinds of weather and various strange bugs, she has evidently a garden of great attraction. The charm of the book is found not only in its humour and individuality, but in that it is a true picture of a most fas-

cinating country.

Margot

"Adam Bede."

(By

George

Eliot

MAY be considered old-fashioned (if so, so be it) when I say that "Adam Bede’ is my favourite book, its authoress being "George Jliot." Many reasons could be given for this choice, let three suffice. "Adam Bede" is so interesting, humorous, and educative, Interesting because every character save Hetty Sorrel is historic, mostly relatives of the novelist. The prototype of Adam was George Eliot’s father, and her mother was Mrs. Poyserd. Every word spoken by Adam is pregnant with meaning, and we have the finest description of a British working man eyer produced. We get rare humour in Mrs. Poyser, which simply fascinates me. Here is a bit: "I’m not denying that women are foolish. God Almighty made ’em to match the men." Educative-teaching the gospel of work. Work was Adam’s religion, no cramped work for him. Adam put his conscience into all he did. The book is a splendid insight into English rural life in the early nineteenth century, a vivid contrast to present day, ‘and. Dinah’s prayer is a piece of classical literature. I’m thrilled when the authoress turns from the story to moralise; we see her then to advantage. The whole book is simply charming.-

M.A.B.