BOOKS REVIEWED.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 237, 19 September 1922, Page 7

BOOKS REVIEWED.

“The Love Story of Alietto Brunton,” by Gilbert Frankau (Hutchinson’s, London). From Messrs. Pratt’s, booksellers, Hastings, we have received a copy of the latest work from the pen of Mr. Gilbert Frankau. Of the versatility of this writer there can be no question. This last production is entirely different from anything which he has previously written, such as “The Seeds of Enchantment,” which is a beautiful riot of the imagination, or those highly entertaining novels in verse “One of Us” and “One of Them.” “The Love Story of Aliette Brunton” is described as a romance of modern life, and it deals fearlessly and vividly with the problems of marriage and divorce. Aliette is the victim of a loveless marriage with Hector Brunton, who, while clandestinely unfaithful himself, refuses to give his wife her freedom when she falls in love and deserts him to live openly with Ronald Cavendish. How his malice is ultimately vanquished and he capitulates just in time to prevent the wrecking of four lives is the* theme of the story. The author develops his plot quickly, and the latter part of the book is intensely gripping. The characters are powerfully and convincingly delineated, while the atmosphere is absolutely realistic. Both the husband and the lover are barristers, and legal life forms an important aspect of the story. The description of the murder trial, in which Brunton, who is known as “The Hanging Prosecutor,” is beaten by the wonderful advocacy of Cavendish in defence of a woman who shot her husband. is a splendid piece of writing, making the whole scene, accurate in every detail, live before the eyes. This novel carries with it a certainty and courage of conviction which recommends it. “THIS FREEDOM.” HUTCHINSON’S LATEST NOVEL. CONTRASTING VERDICTS. The differing standpoint from which equally conscientious reviewers may view a book is interestingly illustrated in the verdicts that have been pronounced upon Mr. A. S. M. Hutchinson’s much discusseil novel, “This Freedom.” The reviewer in the “Times Literary Supplement” says:— So long as -Mr. Hutchinson keeps pretty quiet he is something more than amusing; there is power in his perception of the revolt to which a self-respecting girl-child may be roused by a home where everything is sacrificed to the men, and where the capture of a man is regarded as the object of a woman’s existence. But Air. Hutchinson* cannot keep quiet. He must go on, with, some little inconsequence and an almost ludicrous disproportion between cause and effect, to show that such a home is the only right sort of a home; and that a married mother who attempts to maintain her career o utside the home—no matter ow happy a liame she may make of it, or how careful she is in choosing her servants and governesses—is inevitably driving her husband to misery and her children to perdition. Not the sturdiest supporter of the old ideas and methods, we believe, could mistake Mr. Hutchinson’s story for good sense, it is a piece of violent ad captandum pleading; and no barrister with a hopeless cast ever sobbed and moaned and “carried on” to impress the jury so theatrically as Mr. Hutchinson is bound to do towards the end of his book. The English language goes to pieces under the strain. Mr. Hutchinson’s often rather annoving affections turn into cruel distortions of our tongue. Not to mention grammar, all ixood literature’s rules for forcible writing—reticence, concentration, selection—have to be violated. lu the “British Weekly” “Claudius Clear’’ (Sir W. Robertson-Nicholl writes:— Mr. Hutchinson’s new novel “This Freedom” will cause more talk, and exert a far wider influence, unless 1 am much bistaken than even “If Winter Conies.” Lt is a greater book in every way. True to the principle which rules the best of his earlier writings, the author exalts self-sacrifice, and proclaims the doom of selfishness. He is on the side of the angels. The force and originality of this book will be acknowledged by every reader. Fate seems in certain chapters to be playing with poor lives as ruthlessly as in a drama of JSschylus. Religious teachers will not miss the larger lessons of the story. That hardening process which ruined the married life of Rosalie is going on unconsciously with many who will judge and condemn her. They will say, “Surely it is not 1, Lord!’ and He will answer, “Is it not?” Rosalie is not the only one who needs to offer Miss Rosetti’s prayer:— Yet give not o’er. But seek Thy sheep, true Shepherd of the flock; Greater than Aloses, turn and look once more And smite a rock. LATEST MAGAZINES. “Life.”—When “Life” purchased the rights of “Through the Gates of Hell with O. Henry” it cerainly secured a great magazine feature. In the Sepeniber issue the poignant and powerful account is continued of O. Henry’s five years in gaol—before he became the world’s greatest writer of short stories. It includes the story of 0. Henry’s association with - strange and pathetic fellow-convict named Dicky Price. The life history of Price was used by O. Henry as the basis of oue of his first stories —“Jimmy \ alentine.” We doubt if anyone can read this chapter of “Thro’ Hell with O. Henry’’ in September “Life” without thinking it is the most powerful magazine feature published for many a year. “Life” is also rich in many other good features, such as O’Hara Wood’s first tennis articles. -Wrecks on Australian Coasts.” “Snakes of Morrissey,” etc. It is very fine value for the shilling. Cheerful “Aussie.”—The September issue of Aussie is as bright and cheerful as the Spring. It contains all the

usual features by well-known artists and writers and a number of new discoveries figure in its pages. It seems to be cne of “Aussie’s” special features to discover this new talent and present it to readers in cheerful form. The writers and artists of Australasia who have made history and fame with their brush and pen set a standard in ■‘Aussie” that acts as a beacon for these new-comers to follow, and it stands to the credit of “Aussie” that they are getting their chance in the ranks of art and letters. To further encourage this talent, “Aussie” inaugurated in August a scheme for the improvement of the standard of Australasian black-and-white art and literature, offering practical encouragement to artists and writers by setting aside a sum of £6O to be distributed among them, over and above the payments for their accepted work. This competition, which was for a period of three months, closes with the October issue of “Aussie.” The published contibutions will then be judged, and the prizes will be awarded. Ju these times of slump and depression it is pleasant to come across a cheerful paper. Surely the cheeriest of papers is “Humour,” a copy of which we have received from the NewZealand office of the publication (Singer Avenue, Wellington). “Humour,” which is published by the same company that runs “Aussie,” the bright and clever monthly, skims the laughter from the prominent humorous journals published abroad.