BOOKS AND READERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 111, 13 May 1939, Page 20

BOOKS AND READERS

SOME FURTHER VIEWS

(By "Quivis.")

I regret having to encroach again on space usually occupied by the regular features of these columns, tout in view of the interest shown by readers in the discussion of New Zealand literature and the importance of the subject it is not desirable to postpone too long any useful expression of opinion. As most of the letters received from readers are of a semi-personal character and not written for publication, such passages as are extracted from them will appear under initials in order to disguise the identity of the writer. Considerations of space demand brevity both in excerpts and comment. A most important point is raised by W.A.B. in the difficulty readers, especially the young, find in selecting modern books. How is it possible to segregate the worthy from the worthless? On whose authority can we rely? he asks. Most people become quite hardened and irresponsive to Press criticisms and the printed commentaries, puffing the book, that appear, on the jacket. "Personally," says W.A:B., "I feel sure that these criticisms and commentaries do a .tremendous amount of harm to; the read-ing-public, especially to those who are sincere in their search for good literature." W.A.B. then suggests that I should contribute an article concerning the selection of modern books, including a list of what I would consider "the twelve most important books which have contributed to life and literature since the war." The difficulty of selecting modern books . either in the shop or in the library is universally admitted. Salesmanship has entered the book business with methods that are not in the best interests of real literature and tend to scare away the real booklover, who is a shy sort of person, resentful" of interference in the choice of books. As for the list of "the twelve most important books since the war," I do not feel equal to the task of selection. Tastes differ as widely in literature as they do in music or art or anything else. There might be some sort of agreement as to the hundred best books in literature of all time, but as to modern works I doubt it. Still the proposition is interesting and if readers care to try picking the "best twelve" since the war, a publication of the results might assist W.A.B. G.Tt.C. is doubtful of the feasibility of a magazine of wide 'appeal suggested in the original article. "Has it ; not- been authoritatively proved," he says, "that New Zealand already has more journals, newspapers, magazines, and trade papers per head of population than any other country?" The writer pleads strongly for intellectual honesty in writing, which, _he says, much contemporary work, in books, periodicals, and newspapers, lacks. There is much more in the letter which I would like to quote, but I cannot overrun space this week as I did last. It is clear from this and other letters that there is genuine interest in literature and in the possibility of further development in New Zealand. I wish to thank M.W. for kindly references and the loan of Virginia Woolf's "To the Lighthouse," which I appreciate deeply.