AUSTRALIAN NOVEL

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 57, 30 November 1935, Page 25

AUSTRALIAN NOVEL

“The Brierly Rose,” by Leslie Hayien (Sydney: Angus and Robertson; 6/-). )

This Australian novel covers the lives of three generations, beginuing a few years before the arrival of the ship Hashemy laden with convicts in an attempt to revive the “system” and to provide the squatters with cheap labour. A mysterious young woman, Saliua Betts, claims to have arrived by this boat, and finds a situation as personal maid to the wife of Major Brierly, a young Englishman whose homesick resolve to leave Australia has been overcome by the bright eyes and determined character' of Janet. A happy marriage, though childless for many years, ends with the birth of Rose aud the death of Janet, a blow which leaves Briefly lonely and “difficult,” even to his dajighter. This girl, the Brierly Rose, early shows her likeness to her mother, but nevertheless falls in comparatively meekly with her father’s wishes, and marries an eligible though not interesting young Englishman, although, as far ns the reader may judge, her heart is with the wild Australian, Harry Mannering. She takes with her to her new home the faithful Selina, who, with Paddy, the Major’s old batman, supplies the comedy of the story. The last section of the book deals with the family of Rose and Fabian, and with the love story of Mannering, reformed bushranger who, in order to be near and to help Rose, attaches himself to the family in the quiet transparent character of Townsend.

There is interesting material in this novel, and nieritprious effort has gone to working out the destiny of the house of Brierlv. but owing lo diffusive and over-sentimental treatment, the characters do not fully come to life.