REVIEWS FOR READERS.

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 2575, 5 March 1915, Page 4

REVIEWS FOR READERS.

" YES." Queer title that for a novel, and wholly inadequate and unsatisfactory. "Vex" is by Mary Agnes Hamilton, author of "Less than the Dust/ and is published in Heinemann's Colonial Library (G'eo. Robertson and Co.). Art, love, genius, and faith have been the component parts of many a story. Yet, since they arc the threads of life, the patterns that are weaved from them are as counless as the ripples on the water. No one will accuse this book of conventionality —the character of Sebastian, the hero, alone would save it from that. Yet it is impossible in a few crude sentences to sum up the tale of love, separation, cold tragedy, and. gradual rebuilding of a shattered fabric—a story aflame with life and humanity—without letting it lose just those qualities which make it so profoundly avresting. As Millet left on record: "Art is not a, pleasure trip—it is a battle, a mill that grinds." The Traquair family is wholly given over to Art: the father was a connoisseur and critic, and Joan, his daughter, aspired to become an artist. She is the heroine, she answers the question, Yes (which means living), as against No (becoming a slacker). Joan marries Sebastian because she sees genius in a man who is laughed at by others. There is self-deniaj, self-sacrifice, and selfeffacement in this decision. Just what it all leads to—read the story, which is cleverly conceived, well written, and interesting.

THE LATEST MAGAZINES. The Mid-Pacific Magazine for February (from the editor) is strong in special articles and travelogues, and all the contributors are to be complimented upon their to-the-point writing. The subjects dealt with include a Million Club for Hawaii, Progressive Philippines, the Railways of Chosen, n Record Mountain March, Game in the Hawaiian Islands, Tasmania, Panama in History, N.S.W. Railways, Round about Nahiku, at a Javanese Theatre, the Great Caves of Hilo. Shanghai to Peking by Rail, Hird-hunfcing on Kauai. Prof. McMillan Brown writes about Human Driftwood of tho Pacific, and T. L. Mills describes New Zealand's Capita) [bully good stuff," enthuses Edi- (:>))■ Ford Hume on this article)- And ("her whole issue is profusely illustrated from photographs.

Chambers's Journal for January [from the editor) blends modern war- . 1 arc in its articles with ancient romanco in its stories, the_ latter including . two historical serials: "The Driving Force/ by Marian Bower, and "The Bright Eyes of Danger," by John Foster. Tlie special articles include the following: "The Duties of the British Navy." "Finland in War-time," "Concerning the Dardanelles," "Advisers and Rulers," "The "Christmas Day with the Warand "In Honour of the I'lag." The war is also the theme of Henry Leach's monthly caaiserie, "The Heart of Things." Dalgety's Review for January (from the editor) rises to the occasion, in ' tiiafc it i<. a most interesting war issue. There are special articles and striking pictures recording phases of the war, especially as they bear upon Australasia. There are also the usual interstate pastoral letters. The Motion Picture News, January 2 (J'roin the editor) brings the doings in tho photo-play world right up to date. Tho advei-tisemcnts alone in this journal are as absorbingly interesting and as informative as the stories and prose articles in other journals. Then there arc reviews of the latest photo-plays, freely illustrated, plus news of what's what, I who's who, and where's which in the cinema realms of America. | The Lady's World for January (Horace Marshall and Son) contains interesting facts about well-known i hulio.s whose husbands or hrothers are at the front. The "House Beautiful" article is "upon "Windows and Their l)i aperies." The Fancy Work shows a varied selection of embroidery and crochet work, a free transfer for embroidering a blouse is given gratis. Fashions arc well represented, plus a gratis pattern of a ' useful coat and blouse. Other features jiro "Hints about Red-Cross Nursing," "Good Housekeeping," and ''Everyday Heroism, Winning; the Domestic V.C" I

The Red Magazine, jSo. 138 (from tlio editor, per Gordon suid Goteh) has a- more attractive cover ncnv, carrying a picture thereupon. This illnstrates the latest feature, Ethel M. Dell's new novel, "The Keeper of the J)oor," a very generous portion being as a lirst instalment. Other sfo.ry tellers ia this inane include Hubert \W. Chambers, M. .1 , . Shiol, James Barr, F. S. Mars, J. S. Fletcher, T. C .Bridges, Coufcls Brisbane, .Kumar Ghosh, Constance Eniie, and Horace Tcmpletoii. The Cosmopolitan for February (A. H. Maclean) has two strong and unusual special articles: "Spirograms"' (recent evidence from the Borderland) and "Detective Work in the Blood Stream" (new method of health diagnosis). There are three serial and live short stories. McGlure's Magazine for February (N.Z. .News Co.) carries an article of the very iirst. interest: "The Terrible Submarine'' —"the only enemy that England fears," as the writer puts it. "Your Work is Your Life" is the geneva] title of a. new series of articles, the initial number being on "Wlfcit it Means to be a Doctor." Jeaniiette L. Gilder reviews the Books oi the Day. There are short and serial stories, all cleverly illustrated. Stead's Review lor February-March (from the editor) carries an interesting article on the burning question, ] "Which is lord of the sea : Submarine or Dreadnought:"" The writer contends that the war lias demonstrated , that the battle.cruiser is mistress of | the ocean, but ere long the submarine may wrest that supremacy from her. Mr Stead resumes his "Catechisms on the Wiir," answering no fewer than fit) pertinent question about the number (il : battleships added to the navies of the combatants and about the way in which America is helping the Allie. s with munitions of war. A notable feature of recent numbers has been Frank H. Simonds' review uJ" the events of the month's campaign. "Ms I hero life after deatli ? Do the dead return ? M Sir Oliver Lodge has a notable contribution on these questions. Mr Stea(l has been able to secure, a large number of German cartoons on the war, and ]ii s Progress u£ the World is an interesting re-