N.Z. AUTHOR

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 16, 18 July 1936, Page 26

N.Z. AUTHOR

•RECEPTION IN LONDON

"So They Began," the second novel from the pen of Mr. John Guthrie (Mr. John Brodie, of New Plymouth), has met with an excellent reception in London, and the first issue of 3000 volumes was bought out before publication. The publishers, Messrs. T. Nelson, are confident that the second issue will be sold as readily, writes our.London correspondent. Mr. Guthrie was the guest of honour when a cocktail ■ party was given by the publishers, - who invited many noted authors, publishers, and literary agents to meet him. Messrs. Nelson regard Mr. Guthrie as the best .of ■ the authors whose books they ''. handle, and consider that he has a rosy; future as a novelist. His writing is said' to be especially welcome to the English reader, who appreciates his quiet humour and excellent characterisation.

Mr. Guthrie at one time contemplated leaving London for a short period in the country, where he intended to begin a third novel. He has, however, remained in London, and it is likely that he may leave for New Zealand in September. It is considered that his books will become as popular in England as those of Katherine Mansfield, who is generally recognised in this country as being one of the best-known New Zealand writers. Robin Hyde's latest book, "Passport to Hell," was displayed prominently in many London • bookshops shortly after its publication, but there is, an opinion among booksellers that the work by this author may not be as popular, in England at least, as that of Mr. Guthrie. There are some who consider the style too "jerky" and that top many ; adjectives are used.

Among thdse who were present at the-cocktail party, which, incidentally, was the' first Messrs. Nelson have given for any author during the 150 years they have been publishing books, were: Mr. C. K. Ogden, director of the Orthological institute and inventor of Basic-English; Sir Bernard Pares, professor of Russian language, literature, and history; Mr. Edmond Seagrave, editor of "The Bookseller"; Mr. C. H. Williams, professor of history; Mr. J. Hampden, general editor of Nelson's; Miss Dorothy Coates, librarian of the ' British Drama League; and Dr. G. B. Harrison, Shakespearean scholar^

To the reviewer of the "Manchestc- Guardian" the great attraction of the new book is in its atmosphere— "that greenhouse effect of clean sand, ferns, and dripping water in a moderate temperature which most of us, rightly or wrongly, associate with the idea of New Zealand. Though it is evidently written from an intimate knowledge of place and history, the novel- has a pleasing effect of artifice —in' the heightening of heroic, passages, for instance—as if the author were wisely more concerned about his picture than about, his reputation as a realist. . ; . For once a writer from overseas ..has/had the wit to take description for granted and trust to entertainment for the reality he wishes to'convey Who loves can afford to embroider, and .Mr. Guthrie embroiders with humour, taste, and skill."