SWEDISH AUTHOR AND HER DIARY

Radio Record, 25 March 1938, Page 31

SWEDISH AUTHOR AND HER DIARY

"HOSE who have enjoyed the novels of Selma Lagerlof, most popular and perhaps most typical of all Swedish writers, will turn to the latest published book of her youthful diary with rich anticipation. "Marbaca’-and "Harvest" were the forerunners of the trilogy and they have taught us what to expect. "The Diary" has no surprises and no disappointments. Its simplicity of style and dark undercurrent of mysticism have a fascination not easily resisted; and, although the New Zealand er may not quite understand the workings of a child mind in a far different country from ours, yet the sincerity

of her thoughts and emotions is un» questioned. The diary tells how the young Selma, precocious in many ways but in others touchingly childish, was sent to her aunt’s home at Stockholm to’ have treatment for her crippling illness, and how she fell in love, from far distance, with a dark-haired student from Upsala, Although the diary is written in the usual form, its incidents have a strong unity of theme that is more characteristic of the novel. This is not a book for readers: un: acquainted with Miss Lagerlof’s. work. But those who have already learnt to admire her will welcome it as a _.delightful and revealing literary | adventure. Velma Swanston Howard is again the translator-in fact that is recom mendation of itself. "The Diarv of Selma Lagerof," by Herself. (IT. Werner Laurie Ltd., London). Ou" copy from the publishers.