THE BOOKSHELF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20602, 28 June 1930, Page 8 (Supplement)

THE BOOKSHELF.

WAR'S DISENCHANTMENT.

COMMON SOLDIER'S PHILOSOPHY,

No war book has bettor portrayed the attitude of the common soldier, going into the war full of heroic resolves which gradually turn to dull resentment and sardonic disappointment, than " Tho Patriot's Progress," by Henry Williamson. It shows a flat progression of everyday happenings, which by slow stages, resolve themsolves into tho soldier's muddleheaded acceptance of conditions which he nover understands nor cares about, but accepts aa p3rt of the inevitable daily routine, written in a stylo which admirably suits tho author's bitterness and disillusionment.

John Bullock, a generic member of the lower middle class, is shown contentedly attending to his city clerkship, looking forward to his weekly football match, caiing nothing about the murder of an Archduke in vaguo foreign parts. It takes him some time to realiso that there is a war on, then, as he always does everything that others do, ho " joins up," becomes a member of Kitchener's Army, tho pride of his aged parents, crosses to Franco all eager for the fighting, full of longing to meet a Hun, Gradually ho is moulded into tho philosophic soldier, taking everything as part of the daily job, doing ; what he has to do and no more, . the typical soldier doomed to tho " Duration." Wo s'eo him in billets, under fire, enduring lifo in a dug-out, lead-swinging,, joining in a mutiny which defied a general at Old Tipperary Camp, escaping the consequences himself but watching dozens of handcuffed mutineers awaiting court-mar-tial.

John is seen swaggering on leavo, quaffing vin blanc with tho best, doing ovciything lie thought such a hardened soldier should do, reluctantly spurring himself to tho accepted role; returning to camp very sick, and receiving fourteen days field punishment, the most unendurable thing in the war. A bursting shell shatters his leg and sends him unconscious to hospital. From all tho squalor, misery and hopelessness, the text suddenly jumps to John's parents proudly reading the sentimontal vapourings of comforting war correspondents, and the reason for some of tho bitterness becomes clear. It is a book for soldiers rather than civilians. Tho familiar scones and experiences aro lived over again, and somo exccllerft " cuts" on nearly every page catch tho spirit of tho text and really illuminate it. The books ends on a note of dramatic irony. A little boy cries t-o his father, " Look, daddy, look, tho poor man hasn't only got one boot on!" " Ssh ! You mustn't notice such things! This good man is a hero. Yes," ho went on, "we'll see that England doesn't forgot you fellows." " Wo aro England," said John Bullock, with a slow smile. The old gentleman could not look him in the eyes; and the little boy ceased to wave him flag, and stared sorrowfully at the poor man. " Tho Patriot's Progress," by Henrs Williamson. (Bles.) THE BUSINESS MAN. PROBLEMS OF RACE. ' M. Bloch's book" and C 0.," comes to us heralded by an outhusiastic foroward by M. Bomain Holland who asserts that " here is tho only French novel I know which is worthy to take its placo among tho masterpieces of the human comedy." That this should bo M. Rolland's opinion certainly brings a particular interest to English readers who havo a high opinion of M. Rolland's judgment. Tho book tells the story of tho Simler family, Alsatian Jows, who migrated to Vendeuvro and began their business of cloth weaving in a half dilapidated factory. Thoro is a steadily increasing power about tho story which develops slowly but inevitably. • It is tho story of an entire family's devotion to business, so that gradually tho business dominates the family. That they are a misfit in the lazy little French industrial town of Vendeuvro scarcely touches them. And yet the book is not • entirely concerned with business. Thero are several briof interludes, while Josoph Bimler enjoys a friendship with a charming and intelligent French girl, a friendship which turns to lovo. Jewish tradition is too strong for Josoph and ho is sternly brought back to the fold and married to ono of his own race. Tho book deals in a masterly fashion with racial as well as business problems. Tho stylo is perhaps a littlo slow moving, but every character is alive and will bo momorable long after the book is finished. It is translated by tho lato Scott Moncrieff—one of the most famous FrenchEnglish translators of tho day. - and C 0.," by Jean-Richard Block. (Golloncz.) " EUROFA'S BEAST." GREED OF SELFISHNESS. <

There is something about the titlo " Europa's Beast," a rawness, a kinship with crude nature, which is typical of Mr. Mottrain's art. Ho sees things very clear and straight, sometimes ignoring the conventions by which tho world, for its own comfort, covers its nakedness. Nevertheless, the titlo is tho most uncom fortablo thing about this book. It is derived from tho picturo by Veronese of Jupiter drsguised as a white bull luring the willing Europa_ away with him. " Europa's Beast" is an'ordinary domestic story, with spasmodic little bursts of deeper emotions. The heroino is a selfishly brought up only child, who as n society V.A.P., goto caught up m a wave of sympathy for one of her patients into a hasty marriage, only to find tho aftermath dull and drab, with ncithor dcoply touched by tho other. A period of frustrated motherhood leaves tho young wifo discontented and disillusioned Into this dangerous atmosphere there happens along that samo architect Skcno who made lovo to Madeleino in " The Spanish Farm," an idealist, an artist with an eye for a beautiful woman. For no other reason, in tho modern dynamic way, ho one day clasps her to his heart, and then sets to work to find out why ho did it. and thus by degrees reaches the conclusion that he is in love with her. She, womanlike, had reached this conclusion long ago, arid tho only obstaclo to a happy ending having been removed by means of an aeroplane stunt, thero is very little reason for tho heroic floutincc of convention which is introduced. Mr. Mot tram can never bo dull, but tho method ho adopts of jumping backward and forward to view the eamo episode through the eyes of two and sometimes three people ,is somewhat'irritating to tho progross of the story. ''Europa's Boast," by R, H. Mottrun. (Chatto and Wmdus.)