LATEST NOVELS

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 24, 27 July 1929, Page 21

LATEST NOVELS

THEIR INFINITE VARIETY

"Willow and Cypress," by Catherine M. Verschoyle (London: Longmans, Green, and Co.), as its name indicates, is written in the minor key, but quite musically and finely, to carry out the simile. And yet it has but few high and joyous notes. It introduces Bridget Wentworth, a very charming little girl, while in her governess days, and she is accompanied by a French "Mademoiselle." Bridget is not beautiful, but has a pale elusive charm which stands her in good stead. Mrs. Wentworth, her mother, a highly imaginative, keen, determined woman, is, at I tho same time of an intensely jealous | and "demanding" nature -where her daughter is concerned. . Prom these characteristics come many of the complications of Bridget's life. Her father is a pleasant, kindly, commonplace man, who is accidentally killed. A very pleasant part of the book is the story of Bridget's travel on tbo Continent with a friend of her mother's, -when a number of agreeable people are introduced. The character of Simon Luttrell, whom Bridget marries after many difficulties, is a very composite one, as also is that of his mother, and they are accordingly rather difficult to fit into tho pattern of the book. As usual in so many novels nowadays, there is no finality to the story. Mrs. Wentworth dies, and tho reader parts with Bridget (quite a, young woman), sitting and looking out thoughtfully for what life has yet to offer her. A Grand Romance. "Dainra" is a highly imaginative story of ancient times by "Ganpat" (London: Hodder and Stoughton, Ltd.). From murky shadows of the past, from the ancient history of Greece, two centuries or more before the coming of Christ, "Ganpat" has evolved a vivid story of adventure, fighting, torture, and tragedy. Love has its share, and the .ideals of Phidias and his friends would do honour to any time. Daini-a, the queen of tho Asmakoi, a marvellously beautiful woman, is at the same time a vampire in love, and -whosoever she desires must be hers, whether for a long or short period of time. The story deals with one adventure after another, and the historical pictures are interesting throughout, dealing with strange times and people. Phidias, Leontas, and others come to terrible situations, and seem to be impossibly placed, but extrication comes, and the dramatic death of Dainra is finely described. A Tobacco Pouch Mystery. "The Perilous Secret," by Dennis Peacock (London: Hutchinson and Co., Ltd.), is an interesting mystery novel dealing with tho adventures of John Edgcll, a young schoolmaster. He is travelling by train one day when into his compartment a man falls, plastered with mud, breathless, and choking, lying gasping .in such a condition as to arouse Edgell's pity. The man, who is apparently in a dying condition, induces Edgell to undertake charge of a tobacco pouch, which ho is to keep with the greatest care till it is called for by one Rayburn, of Glasgow, to whom lie is to write immediately. Edgell, although bored by the commission, promises to fulfil it, as the man is so urgent and so ill. To his great surprise, he finds even before ho. leaves t.'ie platform on his way to the. school that there is something remarkable afoot, and then begins a series of quite extraordinary adventures, in which ho and others aro brought into much peril. A number of well drawn characters are brought into tlio story, and the readers''interest is well sustained to an unexpected denouement. Refreshing Comedy. ' , ".families Repaired,'' by thai, fertile writer, J. S. Fletcher (Londou: Jarvoid's), contains many amusing situations. The character study of the Honourable Grantley Dcvenishe, only brother of John, fifteenth Earl of Pontoyse, is a delightful feature in the book. His selfishness, which is brought to a fine art, combined with perfect self-satisfaction and greed, are drawn with a master-hand. The argument of the story is rehabilitation of the Bevenisho family. Tho self-satisfaction and selfishness of the older generation, as shown by the Earl and Countess of Poutoyse and the Hon. Grantley, arc contrasted with the spirit of independence and adventure shown by Lord Devonisho and his sister, Lady Gytha, both of whom forsako tho dull and povertystricken family mansion, and tho matrimonial plans hatched up for Iliem there and fare forth into London to earn for themselves and seek adventure at tho same tune. Very amusing situations aro evolved between Amoniian visitors, who come through .Mr. Pumpln-ey (a inilhoiiiiiiv, once a retainer in ' tho Deveiiisho family), his humble relatives in London, and a section of up-to-date socialists, who intrigue the younger Doveuishcs tremendously. It" is a cheery book, with a woll-sustaincd interest.