The Book Worth While

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 49, 19 June 1931, Page 10

The Book Worth While

N Wednesday evening, Miss Driver, speaking from IYA, passed some recently publishéd books in review. The speaker had, without doubt; an intimate knowledge of at least one of the three or four publications mentioned. In fatt I think perhaps a little more even distribution of the time at her disposal for the discussion would have improved a good delivery. I congratulate Miss Driver on the meticulous care of her articulation; here -was quite a lesson in elocution. Not a consonant slurred, not a terminal omitted, not’ a sibilant without its just and due attention. Speaking principally of "Green Memories," by the authors of last year’s winning contribution in the Sydney "Bulletin" competition, Miss Driver gave"a’ very ample synopsis of the story. It will be remembered that the London Press acclaimed the predecessor’ to "Green Memories" as one of the finest examples of perfect collaboration: on: record. In the opinion of. Wednesday’s ‘speaker, the later volume loses nothing’ by comparison with its fore-runner. It seems difficult

to realise that even Sydriey had its Victorian era. Much of the description would have fitted any of Jane Austen’s / novels, and I found it difficult to realise that the background of "Green Meadows" was not a cathedral city of ancient memories and crumbling. masonry, lichenjacketed. A book by more than one author always fascinates me! I cannot help wondering how the two share the work. Does the one provide the imaginative power and the other the literary ability? Are characters conceived by either author and interwoven into the fabric of the story by mutual consent? In the event of a deadlock with whom is the casting vote? It is most difficult . . . perhaps a story could be evolved having for its plot the very difficulties which I can visualise? There’s an idea for someone! Ve