WHAT WE READ.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume 1, Issue 7, 13 February 1914, Page 9

WHAT WE READ.

To the Editor of THE SUN. Sir,—Librarians, ministers, schoolmasters, editors, and bibliophiles unite in deploring the tendency of the present generation to confine its reacting to novels of a light and superficial nature, and I notice in a recent issue you have joined the crusade. ' The. truth of the statement is incontrovertible, but one does not always agree with the inference drawn from the facts, viz., that the average reader is incapable of enjoying the beauties of literature, and seeks ' only enjoyment for the moment. Personally, I believe that the great majority of readers are anxious to read the best vrorks, but lack the knowledge necessary to discriminate between the good and the indifferent books; and in this matter, perhaps, many that blame them are not entirely guiltless. To illustrate m}'-, meaning, let .us suppose that a young man has yearnings after better reading, and, conscious of his literary ignorance, repairs to the librarian, minister, or someone v else who sets up to be a judge of books, for advice. The latter finds his vainty tickled by the deference paid to his and to air his erudition recommends some book that represents about the limit of his own power of understanding. The result is that the young man finds the book utterly beyond him, and comes to the conclusion that he has not the, necessary mental equipment for its appreciation, and falls back upon the light fiction, which is at least intelligible to him. In this supposititious, but not uncommon, case, the learned friend is entirely to blame. In literature, as in everything else, one must learn to walk before attempting to run. The mind of a person that has been confined to light fiction is like the digestive organs of an invalid. It must be gradually strengthened before it can be expected to assimilate a strong diet. Carlyle and Emerson are as fatal in the one case as beef steak is in the other; the result is indigestion, mental and bodily. Many excellent judges of books, when asked to suggest a course of reading for • another-, invariably mention Meredith. Now, with all due appreciation of Meredith's genius, he is the least to be recommended indiscriminately. Meredith represents the strong meat of literature, and to thoroughly appreciate him one must have passed through many phases of literary preference, and so have educated the mind to his plane. Of course, when selecting books for another, one has to consider his natural tastes and predilections, but there are some writers of the highest standard whose wOrk may be understood and appreciated by anyone of average intelligence. Chief amongst these, to my mind, is Robert Louis Stevenson. His admirable choice of language and the simplicity of his style cannot fail to benefit the reader, and his plots are skilfully constructed and full of action. These qualities, coupled with his whimsical fancy and clever characterisationj make his books

of absorbing interest even to those whose literary palates have become , jaded with a course of Guy Boothby or Charles Garvice. Everyone has read and enjoyed "Treasure Islahd"; bu,t many readers have ventured no further, Yet such works as " The Wreckers, ~ li The Master of Ballantrae^■ ' "St. Ives," "New Arabian ■ m and "Kidnapped" appeal with equal ; ' t strength to the neophyte and the bibliophile, and have only to be known to be appreciated. Then we have the pioneer novelists, Fielding, Smollet, . and Bichardson, whose novels are full of healthful adventure and stirring incident. - There are also many living novelists . whose works combine high literary value and absorbing interest. Arnold Bennett, Joseph Conrad, John Galsworthy, E. F. Benson, and H. G. Wells are equally calculated to please the_ man of moderate attainments, as are the writers of trashy novels, but he must be induced to try them. Ho is apt to think that any book of high literary value must be "dry," and is x - not" for him. The' correction of this error will do more than anything else ; to raise the standard of our reading. " Trusting that I have not encroached A too much upon your space. —Yours, etc.