BOOKS REVIEWED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10672, 17 February 1926, Page 7

BOOKS REVIEWED.

JOSEPH HOCKING'S LATEST. In "The All Conquering Power," Joseph Hocking has written a problem novel of an unusual order. Two entirely antagonistic characters are brought together.in peculiar and dramatic circumstances. Judah Hawkscrag, a wild youth from wild surroundings, first appears on the scene. Strong, wilful, passionate, illiterate—half-sav-age, he meets a'patrician girl, who, tenderly reared and-, imbued with the prejudices of her order feels a strong revulsion from the youth. There is a clash of wills, a clash of purposes—a clash of everything. Nowhere do they seem to stand on common ground; in everything they are opposed. What is the all-conquering power which breaks down apparently insurmountable barriers and destroys the instinctive hatred which is the outcome of long centuries of training and. prejudices Y That, the story tells with rare vividness and power.

AN ENTHRALLING MYSTERY. A Scotland Yard detective who figured as a society man is one of the characters in "The Green Archer," an enthralling mystery story by Edgar Wallace, creator of so many clever investigators. But Captain James Featherstone is not abnormally clever, but a really human being, who in this case, lias an especial interest in his investi2ntio;is in. that they vitally concern the "one girl." The "Green Archer" at first a" ghost mystery develops'into as absorbing a criminal plot as one could wish and withal is a pretty romance. The incidents certainly are improbable, but the manner of telling them make them appear as the most likely happenings in her otherwise quiet country house. The venue ranges from the Carlton Hotel to the worst quarter in the East End of London, with the county seats of the rich as the mam theatre of action; the characters, many of them there are, vary as much as do the scenes. All ring true, and the more dramatic situations are dealt with in a manner that makes them realistic. None but the reader who objects on principle to the mystery story will tail to find pleasure from the book.

GOOD NATURE STUDIES. ' It may be straining the truth to call Ernest Thompson Seton the world s most popular naturalist, but it is but stating sober fact to say that he has few equals and none superior. But to the child who is fortunate enough to be reading "Johnny Bear and Other Stories from the Lives of the Hunted," or "JUcgvlug and Other Stones from Wild Animals I have known, will for the time being at any rate, incline to tbe first statement. And even, children rl an older growth will be fascinated bv the life stories of the annuals of the prairies, for instance with the story of Tito, the coyotte, whose resourcefulness in evading the hunter is as thrilling and as interesting as many a novel. FANCIFUL HUMOUR.

"Once upon a time" is a sterotyped beginning for a fairy story, but though it has such a commonplace title Unoe

<*n a Time," by A. A. Milne, autnor of "When We "Were Very Young," is a story that will charm by its very unusual plot. It is one of those stones that interest res.: children and deli gyri grown! up children. It is full of delicious humour, and lovers of the fancihii of all ages will revel in it. From the time when the King -of Eliralia is annoyed by the King of Barcdia stalking over his breakfast table in seven league boots, until the happy time when the Princess marries the Duke, and the King (her father) weds the . Countess, there is not a dull pag*. Charles Robinson ha* added not a little ito the attractiveness of the story by I his excellent decorative work J All the above books are published by ; Messrs Hodder and Stemgliton.

"ON THE WOOL TRACK." "On the Wool Track" by C. E. W. Bean, is one of the Platypus series, which has become so popular. It is a j book based 'on articles that appeared in the "Sydney Morning Herald ' and I presents a most fascinating and m- ' etructive picture of Australia's, great 'primary industry. He traces the ndj vent of the sheep into the Island Continent and shows the great influence i'it has had upon the development ot ; the country and of its industries. Then he gives most interesting pictures of the manv men engaged upon the production of wool, from the "boss down to the shearers' cook, not forgetting the men engaged upon transport across long stretches of unsettled country. In "the last chapter" a brief but enlightening account is given of the various processes of the manufacture of ! year. • The book besides being entertaining by reason of the many vivid ' descriptions of life upon the large sta- ' tions of Australia, is also of serious I interest as removing many misconceptions of "the outside country." It is_ : a book to be recommended to all who : desire to know more about our neigh- : bour across the Tasman, - for it is written in a style that while conveys | much information provides entertainment. The Cornstalk Publishing ComI pany by issuing such a book is doing a good work in the direction of making Australia and Australians better understood. Our review copy was sent by Messrs Angus and Robertson, of Melbourne.

M. MONTGOMERY'S LATEST. "Anne of Queen Gabbs" and "Emily of New Moon'' are two of the works that have given L. M. Montgomery a place in the estimation of the New Zealand reading public, and in her latest book "Emily Climbs" she has added to" her laurels.' The story, well told and unfolding a plot skilfully handled, deals with the dreams and aspirations of a very young person of seventeen, Emily Starr, who has the craving to be a poet or successful novelist, and who keeps a diary in which she inscribes her intimate maiden reveries and fancies. Well-drawn characters in the background give the elements of robustness and maturity to the story. There is, for old Dr Carpenter, who makes rare fun of Emily's rather sentimental •ffusions, her contributions to the poets' corner of the local paper, and her frequent use of italics in writing. The three aunts of the literary flapper are drawn to the life, especially the maiden aunt Elizabeth, whose ideas of propriety and correctness of speech are constantly receiving severe shocks. The book is that all girls, including grown up ones, will appreciate to the full. "Emily Climbs" is one of the Bellbird series, published by the Cornstalk Company, and distributed by Messrs Angus and Robertson.