LITERARY CLINIC

Evening Star, Issue 22638, 3 May 1937, Page 13

LITERARY CLINIC

BOOKS BY PRESCRIPTION " Reading people can recall some disastrous experiences in their adventures among books. They have, unadvised, read an unknown book, and it has played havoc with their mental health. It may take months or years to rid the mind of its ill effects. They simply took the wrong bottle off the shelf, writes Mr J. Selwyn in ‘ Chambers’ Journal.’ Reading a book at the wrong time or when the mind is immature or depressed can sadly upset ouf mental balance. “ Some of us have our favourite authors. But why do we favour them? What we desire is not always what, we need or ought to have; We may hanker after jam when we ought to take ginger. Perhaps the favourite author is one who matches our favourite mood, but that mood may be world-weariness and cynicism. . “ That mood does not work in this world. It does not help us. A bookdoctor would probably advise a course of J. M. Barrie in such a case. A cynic would not road Barrie for choice, but he might read him for profit and cure, if so prescribed. We read some books which preen our pride or confirm our prejudices. Is this for our good? DIP INTO OTHER BOOKS. If we are satisfied with our reading, we should start-a fresh course of something else, possibly consulting a book-lover for direction. If wo, are permanently disgruntled with life, then we should read something that will enable us to make friends with life. The guidance of a friend would save ns many heartaches and many failures “ In these troublous times, when most of us are so eager to manage the world and put every wrong thing right, we continue to read books that deal with world conditions and economic problems until we are hopelessly distracted. Large numbers of sincere people concerned with social affairs are becoming demented over our continual failure and the increasing complexity of our problems, and they begin'to ask; ‘Are we sane? ” .. . " It would do these people good to leave world affairs alone for a time. They are poisoned, over-dosed, and unless they are determined to become immune to world troubles by continual absorption in them, they had better try some other bottle on the shelf. ■ " A man is not called upon to manage the world. He is only called upon to manage himself, and in becoming distracted he is failing to manage himself There are books on his shelf dealing with this subject. He had better blow the dust off and dip into them. “ Only the person who. can gmnagehimself, keep his ' temper, his mental poise, and retain a faith in human nature can make any contribution to the management of the world. Others are just sick folk jwho need medical attention of a mental character. They should be helped to heal themselves. THE SELF-CENTRED PEOPLE. “ Then there are self-centred people, wrapped up in themselves, living in comfort and security, who nave closed their door to world affairs and their neighbours’ concerns, and who badly need a course of reading in social mat- “ Books on economics and social problems are not found on their shelves, which are occupied with choice copies of poetry, fantasy, and fiction or art. Such people need a severe shaking-up out or their selfishness and their ease. They should be given a purge of slum clearance and international peace.