SENSATIONAL NOVEL

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1932, Page 5

SENSATIONAL NOVEL

MELBA THE THEME. YOUNG AUTHOR S MEAN SPIRIT. i United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.! LONDON, Jail. 18. Tlic London newspapers regard as a sensation Mr Beverly Nichols’ new novel “Evensong,” which the Cape firm is publishing to-day. Emphasising that the novel weals widi the decline of a world-;anmus soprano, and* pointing out that Nichols for some years acted as Dame Melba’s secretary, and that there are resemblances between Madame liela of tne novel and great Austral.an singer. The “Daily Express” begins its review as follows: “A s -Melba might have said, ‘Bravo! Bravo! Beverly Nichols! A deucedly entertaining hook; and how perfectly—of you to make. Ireia so like me!’” The “Daily Express” goes on:—

Trela, which -Mr Nichols pronounces Ira ha, is an elderly soprano, whose physical and vocal decay is brutally We are told that the characters are painted by this cynical young man. fictitious, but those who know Melba will wonder where was Nichols’s tongue when he made that statement. Much pointed hud malicious play is j nl l.de of Irelft’s annual physical tricks, suoh as those of tapping the ground with the toe of her right foot, licking her upper lip, and a very determined crossing of her feet when netvous or ill-tempered. Melba had exactly the same mannerisms. Ir<ha is terribly jealous of a young soprano of her company. The “ Daily Express” adds: “Melba could never bear any challenge to her supremacy as Queen of Song.”