Jottings

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 2, 24 July 1931, Unnumbered Page

Jottings

ey "Most Women," by Alec Waugh, there are sketches and impressions, .Vignettes of people, stories heard and { imagined, making a picturesque ‘pot-pourri put together with considerable skill, with love as the connecting link between the chapters. Most of the stories have a tropical background, but there are some with heroines in Chicago, New York and London. Mr. Waugh has found a literary form which admirably suits him, and this new book of his, which is decorated with some ' admirable woodcuts ‘by Iynd Ward, may be looked on as the fitting sequel ' to his "Coloured Countries." S * Ld Me. HUGH WALPOLE, the novelist, whose father was for many years the Bishop of Edinburgh, has recently given it as his opinion that the whole literary world is anxiously awaiting the arrival of a great Scots novel; he is himself convinced that Scotland will rise to meet this hope. It would be fitting if a novel of classical proportions were to see light during the centenary year of the great Sir Walter. Apart from the already successful work of George Blake and Neil Gunn-not to mention Agnes Mure Mackenzie, Edwin Muir and Eric Linklater-it is well known in Scots literary circles that four or five of the younger men have been at work.on novels for some time. . *. * UNDER the title of "The Caliph of Bagdad," two of his old associates, Messrs. Davis and Maurice, have written a life of that strange personality and brilliant writer, O. Henry. An equally unusual type of man, Lafcadio Hearn, has been biographed by Mrs. Jean Temple; and a life of William _Archer, by his brother, Lieut.-Colonel Charles Archer, gives an interesting correspondence between Archer and ‘Mr. George Bernard Shaw. bal * * TPHOSE who remember the earlier books of Miss EF. Arnot Robertsun will know that she is a writer of distinction, and in her-latest novel, "Four Frightened People,’ she again proves her quality. In her new book there are passages of vivid description which linger in the memory. Plague on board ship leads to the secret departure of four of the passengers: scape from the ship is comparatively easy, but in the jungle, when they réach it, one misadyenture follows another, Although the book sets out to tell a story, it is more of a travelogue than a novel, ut none the less interesting on thitt account, . co

Me. WILLIAM KAY WALLACE, a Yale man, who has heen for several years in the United States Diplomatic . Service, and has also done-some journ-- . flism, has written a book, "The Scientific World View," in which he stresses -the belief that science is daily making new discoveries, and in the process 2 -. new code of conduct is being framed that differs radically from the older . religious code. . . ee rs ‘Ze. ALINGTON, the Headmaster of Eton, is justified in denouncing the kind of unpleasantness which some young gentlemen, fresh from the public schools, inflict upon the world. There are classics about school life, for example, "Tom Brown’s School Days" and "Vice Versa," but modern young authors who malign their own seminaries appear to be convinced, if you wish to draw attention without especial exertion, you must assail honourel names and cherished: institutions, and they find the. great schools and colleges an easy target to hit, AY ISS TENNYSON JESSE, part au- . thor of. the play, "The Pelican," ‘recently successfully produced by the Wellington Repettory Society; has writ‘ten a new book entitled "The Solange Stories," which is a series of studies in ‘crime. Solange, the clever woman detective, lands her quarry by a kind of sixth sense, an awareness of evil, rather than by logical deduction from material clues. At the last: minute, dramatically she saves an innocent man from the gallows, and understands the significance of things, trivial and. important, that are unnoticed by those Who pass by. Clever studies, these, ‘and quite out of the yein of Miss Tennyson .Jesse’s former novels, which we venture to predict will be remembered long after her latest essay in fiction. is forgotten. * * * ‘ ABOVE the Dark Circle," by Hugh Walpole, derives its name from Piccadilly Cireus, and the most extraordinary adventures take place one night in a room high above the lights of Piccadilly. A book without a liero ov a villain, the writer asserts, but with a heroine. One of the protagonists is led into the midst of the most terrifying incidents by cotsulting his favourite book, "Don Quixote,’ as to whether he should eat or shave with his last remaining half-crown. and reading "The knight was yet asleep wheu the curate came, attended by the barber," he decides on the shave; and from then on the action is fast and furious. A thriller to be recommended, though not quite up to the grue some pitch of that sadistic novel "The Man with Red Hair."