N.Z. New Editions

Press, Volume C, Issue 29448, 25 February 1961, Page 3

N.Z. New Editions

Check To Your King. By Robin Hyde. Reed. 228 pp. The Story of a New Zealand River. By Jane Mander. Whitcombe and Tombs. 318 PP.

In the ’thirties. New Zealand novelists were not as numerous as they have since become. Publishers in England were not at that time particularly attracted to novels with a New Zealand setting, and this was certainly one reason for the small output. Nevertheless, the quality of the work produced was high, as these two reprints clearly show. Robin Hyde’s “Check to Your King” is one of her more important efforts, although it might be argued that as a novel, “The Godwits Fly,” is a more original work. The historical framework of “Check to Your King” is perhaps too apparent, Professor Joan Stevens suggests this and a related fault in her introduction, when she remarks, “Once she has landed her cargo of Utopians in New Zealand, Robin Hyde handles her story Tnore straightforwardly and brings it, in spite of some guide-book stuffing, to a moving climax.” There is no need to discuss the theme of “Check to Your King,” for most educated New Zealanders have heard of Baron de Thierry’s career. This is because Miss Hyde’s book, although long out of print, made its mark and has. in fact, become a part of the literature of this country. “The Story of a New Zealand River” will impress readers of this generation as a conscientious, soundly constructed novel. It, too, will be read with interest; but one reservation must be made. Jane Mander wrote from a point of view which seemed advanced in its day but is now somewhat dated. However, the Roland family, Mrs Brayton and David Bruce, in particular. are memorable characters, and the urgency with which the author presents their problems is still strongly felt. It is this tone which gives the book its permanent value.