THE BOOKSHELF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20112, 24 November 1928, Page 7 (Supplement)

THE BOOKSHELF.

AUSTRALIAN SHORT STORIES.

AN INTERESTING COLLECTION. Ono cannot do better than quoto tho preface to " Australian Short Stories" in which Mr. Mackauess writes: " With tho exception of tho ' Bullotin Story Book,' published in 1901. . . no attempt hus ever been maclo to skim the cream of the thousands of Australian short stories that have been written both beforo and sinco t'iat date. This littlo volume is an attempt to placo before a wider public than the Australian, a selection of stories typical of Australia and of her native makers.

" Tho principlo of selection is, roughly, ns follows: —First, it has been my chief aim to includo representative stories written by native-born Australians, or by writers long acclimatised in tho Commonwealth, and one with her in temper and in sentiment. . . Socondly, stones written by Australians who have long been abroad. ' Thirdly, when considering subject matter, I have, as a general rule, excluded all those stories which have no Australian, or in its wider connotation, Australasian, touch about them.

' Hence, briefly, the stories in this book are by Australians, and about Australians, but, for the whole English speaking world."

If tho prophet has no honour in his own country he has littlo more in tho neighbouring country. For obvious reasons New Zealand novels are not particularly acceptable to the average New Zea land reader, nor is he going to be tempted by anything Australian. For what romance could there bo for him in a country as familiar to him as New Zealand or Australia? So that, no doubt, while genius will declare itself and eventually demand recognition, a good deal of talent is overlooked. Mr. Mackaness brings to tho notice of readers an excellent collection of Australian stories. So good indeed, that many readers, ignorant of this particular field of literature will be surprised at the high standard achieved, and of their own ignorance of many of the writers. Some 28 authors aro represented, a short biographical sketch being attached to each name. Mr. Mackaness is to be congratulated both for his selection and his collection. " Australian Short Stories," chosen find edited by George Mackaness. (J. M. Dent). FROLICS WITH OFFICIALS. V CHESTER-BELLOC " PRODUCTION. Hilaire Belloc can always be depended tipon to be unlike himself; when ho enters into league with G. K. Chesterton, tho resulting tour-de-force is sure to be sur prising. In " But Soft —Wo aro Observed!" the reader is invited to laugh boisterously at tho wonderful ways of officialdom, particularly at tho Secret Service and all that expensive body of politicians and statesmen who make wars, negotiate treaties, ferret out secrets, and set elaborate chain works of machinery in motion to obtain results by stealth which can be had by going to tho fountainhead and asking. A simple, innocent young Cuban, filled with a lovo of England, which after years of anticipation he is visiting for the first time, steps into tho cancelled berth of the representative of an Asiatic State, which owns the monoply of deposits of Eremin, a substance essential in modern warfare, and is mistaken for Jiim. Tho England of his 'dreams welcomes him with open arms, puts motor cars at his disposal, banquets him, throws open royal houses to him, bribes him. threatens him, buffets him, and finally imprisons him. The more simplo and bewildered he appears, tho more is his fconsummato " downiness" praised. Meanwhile, the real representative, who has been shipwrecked, comes along, goes to headquarters, states his business,'concludes a plain business transaction to tho satisfaction of all parties, and goe3 on his way. Mr. Belloc's fun, though pointed, is never ill-natured. Ho rather takes the side of the taxpayer who knows ho is being robbed and accep'.s it as part of tho status quo, but wants to show that he is quite aware of tho fraud he is paying for. There is a fine spaciousness about the plot—any character who impeded tho nction is killed or discarded without tho least compunction, thus saving a world of tedious explanation.

Mr. Chesterton's drawings are a real embellishment. With a few strokes ho reveals the type, what ho is after, and much of his past life. " But Soft—We lire Observed." by Hilaire Belloc, with 37 drawings by G. K. Chesterton. (Arrowsmith). •' HERE COMES THE LADY." AN UNUSUAL SETTING. " Hero Comes tho Lady," by M. P. Shiel, is something of a prize-story competition, with the hand in marriage of an iieiress to four million pounds as tho prize. Joy Richards is 'he name of tho heiress. At the age of twelve sho lost her sight, cieveral years later both parents died and left her a millionairess four times over. From tho ago of fifteen she began to be pursued by suitors, but at eighteen she ivas still a maid, for being unable to see those who wooed her, she knew not which one to choose for her mate. So she decided to give a house party anil invite tho whole dozen suitors. Each during his visit was to tell a tale. There are eleven stories, connected by ft continuity of narrative, illustrating nearly every human emotion, yet each story differing utterly from its fellow There is something faintly reminiscent of I)oon Lyme about Mr. Shiel's style, although iic lacks Dorm Lyme's simplicity The stories are excellently told. and the reader being a much more impartial judge than the heroine, is scarcely likely to agree to her choice. Joy chooses a cer tain sailor boy cousin who had threatened long before the house-party to marry her fiver the heads of everyone, willed she, :nilled she. Mr. Shiel's earlier books have been well spoken of. llis is a strange and unusual talent, and although his books will Never know popularity, he will always find u public among those of sophisticated taslc who demand tho unusual before all things. " TTere Cornea the Lady," by M. P. Shiel. (I'ichurds Press). ALDOUS HUXLEY'S FAILURE. " POINT COUNTER POINT." II is difficult to understand a writer of undoubted talent devoting much time and labour to such poor purpose as the book, " Point Counter Point" represents. Mr. "Jluxloy might become one of our most brilliant writers if ho could pluck up a .'ifrictus enthusiasm for something and give his mind to it. Thoroughly disillusioned wilh life and mankind, ho has chosen instead I" dabblo in nil kinds of Hastiness and small talk. ft is impossible lo find a. serious or creditablo aim in this book, which is about a set of mean, earthy people, wljo seem lo livo only for the moment, and here is tho tragedy of it—do not seem even to enjoy that. Mr. Huxley's anathema is the virtuous ftnd tho "pretty pretty." To avoid it arid destroy it, ho becomes deliberately coarse and frank, both in languago and subject matter. He does not see that in his revolt against Victorian smugness he has run to tho other extreme. To have sensuality and ugliness always preoccupying the thoughts is just as inartistic and false as the hypocrisy which pro tended that these things did not exist,. Tho whole book is needlessly offensive Moreover it is dull, and—it contains 600 pages.

"Point Counter Point," by Aldous Huxley iCiiaitq and Windua).