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Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26396, 14 April 1951, Page 3

Simple Speaks His Mind. By Langston Hughes. Gollancz. 231 pp. Written in 1943, this little book is the work of a well-known negro writer. It consists of a series of conversations which take place in a bar between Jesse B, Semple known as “Simple” and another negro. Simple is the Common Man, the hero of the twentieth century. He speaks his mind on all manner of subjects, ranging from Joyce (his girl-friend) to God, peace and race relations. The transparent purpose of the book is didactic; the author is only using the chatter of Simple to put across his own opinions. As art, the book is worthless; the character of Simple is quite bogus, and his interlocutor is given no character at all. The general tone of the work is Sentimental and whining, when it is not belligerent; it will do little to win hew friends for the negro race.

J. M. Dent and Sons, Ltd., have done a real service to admirers of W. H. Hudson in reprinting in beautifully '(dear type three of the famous naturalists books, “Nature in Downland.” “A Hind in Richmond Park,’’.and “The Purple Land.” If it has not already been done, this reviewer not having had the pleasure of re-reading them, it is to be hoped that th- publishers intend to reprint the remainder of Hudson’s works in the same fine style.)