OTHER NOVELS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 282, 28 November 1931, Page 2 (Supplement)

OTHER NOVELS.

EAST AND WEST.

The numbers of writers who publish a mystery 6tory for their first novel and make a success of. it, is noteworthy. Martin Porlock's. "Mystery at Friar's Pardon" (Collins) is well above the average of this kind of tale., because the mystery'js. really thrilling,' and the tale is well told, with a rare quality in the style. The motive for the crime is hardly adequate, but we do not remember a moro baffling mystery. This is one of the books to be noted for holiday reading.

Mrs. Buck went so far ahead in literary excellence with "The Good Earth" that her new book, "East Wind West Wind" (Methuen) conies as a disappointment. It is, however, a very thorough ond detailed description of the life of a Ghinesc woman before and after marriage with one' of her own people who has freely adopted Western ideas and customs. Coming, as it does, at a time when general attention is directed towards China, it is probable that the novel will find many interested readers. To balance the adventure of the maid who marries a Westernised man, tlfcre is included the story of'an English girl who leaves her family and her country to marry a young Chinese. In both cases heredity, habit, dress and language all assist in marring the happiness which love should give. The Chinese parents are adamant in refusing to surrender their ancestral rights over child and grandchild, and there is a bitter feeling engendered in both parents and children when the claims of love and marriage and parenthood are claimed by the young. 'The whole thing is an extended comment upon mixed marriages, Anglo-Chinese in particular. Anne Duffield has written many novels, and in our opinion the best of them is the "Lacquer Couch," a really beautiful story.' Now she has published, through Mr. John Murray, a story of Cairo, and drawn a comparison between love and life of East and West. A young peer of ancient lineage goes to Egypt and falls in love with a halfcaste girl whom he persuades his family to invite to England. His home in the wilder part of Northern England is seen through the eyes of the young woman accustomed to the brilliant skies, the coloured raiment, and the easy,, careless life of the East. Incidentally, the domestic arrangements of the home of a wealthy Turk are described, and much emphasis is laid upon social differences and class distinctions, the rigidity of which provide the plot of the novel. "The Passionate Interlude" is not the best work she has done, but it is good reading.