Book Notes.

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 40, 15 April 1932, Unnumbered Page

Book Notes.

INNING THROUGH," by Jesse Templeton (Ward, Lock, & (o.), is a,thrilling story of adventure. Daun, Whe@has a ranch in Canada, goes to EngJan@ in search of his partner, Stockwell, from whom he has heard nothing for months. He finds him in the depths of depression. The girl with whom he is in love turns him down, and developments arise which cause Dan to book .- his passage back to Canada. The ship is wrecked, and the few survivors are stranded in Labrador. heir privations and attempts, to neach civilisation, into which a charming romance is woyen, hold the reader's attention throughout. * mt we AKING A LIBERTY" is the title of a new story by John Traversotherwise Mrs. G. H. Bell. (Hodder and Stoughton). John Kinsman, one of the ‘principal characters, has a hard time in trying to be loyal to two women at the same time. The book deals with the complications that ensue from a grass widow becoming too closely acquainted with a married couple next door. Situation after situation arises, euch more intriguing than before. The characters are well drawn, and though miuny of the incidents are serious, there is plenty of humour, too. wt bad "[QXes OF DESIRE" is Cecil H. Bulliyantes’ latest book (Wright and Brown, London). Two lawyers and a titled vamp combine to upset the destiny of John Masters, the hero. On the eye of his engagement to Joyce he receives the news that he has inherited a fortune. This has been prearrunged by the villains of the plot. Irom that period begin the troubles and trials of the lovers. The story is well written, and moves in Jeisurely style. The hero rather reminds one of John Ridd in "Torna Doone’-an amiable individual with. a looks and an even temper. T is a coincidence that Miss Helen Simpson and "Henry Handel Richardson," another noteworthy Australian woman novelist living in Jondon. should both have contemplated a musical career before they successfully adopted literature. "Henry Handel Richardson" was born in Melbourne and educated at Melba's former school, the Presbyterian Ladies’ College. She went to Leipzig to study music, and after having been there three and ahalf years, she wrote her first novel, "Maurice Guest." In 1910 she wrote "Phe Getting of Wisdom," the biography of a school-girl, which so irritated the authorities of her old school that they refused to let her revisit it when she returned to Melbourue for a trip.

QYDNEY PARKMAN’S new _ book, "he Accidental Adventure" (Hodder and Stoughton), will be welcomed by those who appreciated "East of Singapore." This latest novel maintains the standard set by its predecessor. Dick Trenchard was sent by his firm to the dock, and somehow managed to get abonrd the wrong ship. From this mistake things begin to happen. There is enough romance to hold the feminine interest, and everything works out according to plan. Ed * * OVERS of dogs should read C, B. Poultney’s stories of his dog in London, published by Methuen and Co., und the title is "My Dog Pompey." Animal lovers will enjoy the conversations between Pompey and his master, and the author's drawings, which reveal his friend as a cross between a Sealyham ‘nd a Scottie, add, much to the interest of the book. * * * ML EDWARD PERCY is the author * of the play, "If Four Walls Told," and in "Iwastward Drift" gives ample evidence that he can write a good story also. It is the tale of an old merchant of the Victorian era, who retires from the strenuous business life after dividing his money and commercial interests among his sons, Then is shown what they make of the position and fortune their father had acquired. Temperamental wives and extravagant tastes, the gambling habit, resulting in disaster. There is excellent writing, notably the old father’s return to the Tray at the creditors’ meeting, which is a fine piece of dramatic description. The different matrimonial ventures of the brothers, that of the youngest son erashing on a note of tragedy, which is somewhat melodramatie in quality. Somewhat crude, perhaps, here and there, but a novel that grips attention. * * * HE yersatile Mr. Yachell can be depended upon to write vivaciously und entertainingly of the social cosmos. In "The Fifth Commandment," his latest contribution to fietion, he tells the story of Lady Kindred and her delightful daughters. The girls prove entirely dissimilar in character and career, this heing explainable by the fac that the father of Cris, the elder of the two, is not her mother’s husband, but a distant consin. The youthful Zoe decides to try her luck on the boards, and makes good in a play written by a certain Dominic, who, after unfortunate philandering with her sister, clects to marry the attractive actress,. with whose proclivities for the stage and all that appertains thereto he is entirely in accord. There is much amusing characterisation, and intimate details of life both before and behind the curtain nave chronicled with charm and authene ticity,