Leaving Decisions and Labour to the Other Fellow

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 40, 12 April 1935, Page 22

Leaving Decisions and Labour to the Other Fellow

"Land Under England" More Than a Novel: South Sea Islands in the ’Highties.

"LAND UNDER PNGLAND" might have come from the pen of that famcug writer of awe and mystery, Hdgar Allen Poe. In a literal sense it is a thriller, but Joseph O’Neill had another purpose in painting such a weird,. vivid and satirical picture. In a manner peculiarly Irish, he conveys to the thinking reader what may be expected if the Hitlers and Mussolinis develop and hold sway for a few generations -a novel and effective warning that we are throwing away with both hands the liberty gained by our forefathers at a cost of much blood and agony. Cleverly using ohe of the lowest forms of life as his vehicle of pre-sentation-a slug-he awakens his reader to the serious danger of the luxury of leaving to the other fellow the decisions and labour which hitherto have been borne by the individual limself. Some readers may recoil at the rude jolt to their self-complacency. others will take it as a call to arms, to take stock of the position to-day and respond to the responsibilities of life instead of side-stepping them. Hardly the novel for a train journey, or for the cursory reader. it is bound | mr weer reer rrr pee eT ere PR pe Ue or

to set up in the receptive mind serious thought of what might be. "Hand Under England." Joseph O’Neill. Victor Gollanez. Our copy from the pub1shers. * pocok OF THE ISLANDS" is.a story of the early life of "Jock" or Johti Cromir up to the year 1889, when he was engaged in obtaiiing hative labour from the South Sea Islatids for work on the Queenslund stigar plantations. The islands were at tlie time in a savage state and under ho Government jurisdiction. "Jock" Cromar’s early voyages were full of surprises, and his success in inany adventures which cost other white meh their livés, was due to hig constant observation ahd interpre: tation of the savage mind. Althougl rither disjointedly written some of the early adventures of thé old sailor are both instructive and interesting, while the details of the savage customs are fascinating yet reliable. The book is well illustrated and is equipped with a& map which enables the reader to place the multitude of islands mentioned. . In "Jock of the Islands" there is a mixture of accurate observation and light-hearted adventure which provides quite sound entertainment, "Jock of the Islands." Jolin Cromar. Faber and Faber, London. Our copy from the publishers Se TET PET PG EET PTT AEEGT UTTER |