LITERARY

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 89, 16 April 1927, Page 22

LITERARY

" A Treasury of New Zealand Verse " receives bare mention in " The TimeLiterary Supplement." The fact that it is only partly new hardly justifies such treatment. It is announced by Messrs. Black that the colour l>ook " New Zealand," by \V. l'ember Reeves, has been revised in the light of the author's recent visit to his native land. "Leadon Hill" is a wise, sympathetic and remarkable novel. It is by Richma) Crompton (published by Hodder and Stoughton), and is one of the best stories of English village life we can recall. It flows easily and smoothly in effortless narratives, and all the time is teaching the reader what probably is a muchneeded lesson. "Leadon Hill" is a bright oasis in a desert of depressing fiction.

"Elocution for Teachers and Students.' by Rose T. Pa try (Allen and Vnwin). is a useful book for all teachers of the art. It contains practical advice and excellent exercises. The chapter on the correction of defects in the voice is especially good and the numerous exercises given should be of real value. The student who is studying by himself will find it easy to understand and interesting to follow. "Sheep Limit," one of 0. D. Ogden's latest (Hodder and Stoughton), is a successful endeavour to put a wild west adventure story on the lists of literary "comics." It is more than humorous, and less than knock-about comedy to which, however, it runs very closely. A tailor introduced upon a sheep farm out west, a girl who corresponds with an unknown, and raises a Frankenstein: and a jovial old woman who make* two bad marriages, form the foundation of an amusing story.

There was a very large number of entries for the Ten Most Popular Characters in Fiction Competition conducted by the "Spectator." The total number of fictitious characters which were considered eligible for a place in this list amounted to 308; 109 of which, however, received only one vote. The ten most popular characters, in the order of their popularity as elected by the plebiscite, were: 1, Mr. Pickwick; 2. Robinson Crusoe: 3. Don Quixote; 4, Sherlock Holmes; 5, Peter Pan: G, Alice: 7, Becky Sharp; 8, Sam Weller; 9, D'Artagnan; 10, Colonel Xewconie.

It is very doubtful if books like "If Christ Came to Chicago" and "What Would Jesus Do?" serve any good or useful purpose. The latter was commenced in a reverential spirit and the first half of the book probably influenced many in the right direction, but towards the end, Mr. Sheldon wearied, or permitted another hand to assist, and the book seems to degenerate. " Biilly Bray," and "Daniel Quorm," and "Yet Not I," are the product of converted men, but they arc humorous, as well as devout. "The Kingdom," by P. Shaw (Cassell), is neither humorous nor devout, and lacks everything of the spirit of love and truth. It is a collection of disconnected imaginary incidents, with Jesus in disguise as the most important character in each event. The devil is represented by a wealthy and immoral business and society man. The story ends with a civil war in England, and the rioting in London as part of it. The author will some day regret that he has used his talents in this somewhat boyish and unintelligent marine*