THE BOOKSHELF

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21278, 3 September 1932, Page 9 (Supplement)

THE BOOKSHELF

AN 1 UNFINISHED BOOK ARNOLD BENNETT'S LAST It is possible to apply to Arnold Bennett's last book, " The Dream of Destiny " tho perfect test of a story—how' much does one regret the fact that it is unfinished, and can never bo finished? Judged thus " Tho Dream of Destiny " proves itself triumphantly, poignantly, for one passionately resents the cutting off of Roland Lane Smith and Phoebe Friar as if they had been wrongfully done to death. It seems almost impossible that two such vivid peoplo and their lively, vigorous creator can grace tho scene no more. For Arnold Bennett, in this unfinished tale of his last days, shows himself still young and full of tho zest for life.

Roland is discovered as in comfortable early middle life ho finds himself, against his wiri, falling in love with Phoebe Friar, an actress who has just conquered two continents. But Phoebe is a daughter first and an actress second; tho domestic happiness of her homo has always appealed to her more than the glamour of the stage. Sho has made herself act against her will. Thus on the occasion of a brilliant first night which completes the conquest of London her relief from stiain brings on an acute attack of neurasthenia. She suddenly insults the fawning peoplo iri her dressing room, is hurried home to bed, and next morning violently reproaches Roland for interfering. She dislikes the stage—does she underneath dislike Roland? This is where the story leaves us, an unfinished story of unusual brilliancy and very vivid character drawing. It promised to ..e Arnold Bennett at his most vigorous and best. The book also contains tho last complete storv Arnold Bennett wrote, a long short storv called "Venus Rising from tho Sea," It also is a story of the theatre, of simple people, and clubs and restaurants, and is Arnold Bennett in an element where he was most masterfully at home. " The Dream of Destiny." and " Venus Piping from the Sen," b.v Arnold Bennett. (Cassell.) STUDY IN SCOTCH CHARACTER

CREDITABLE FIRST NOVEL

If one is a Scot, or has an admiration for the Scotch character, then Crooked Laburnum " -will rejoico Ins heart,. It is Miss Orgill Mackenzie's first novel and it stands well above the rank and file. It is the world of a little Scotch village seen with desperate clarity, that Miss Mackenzie reveals to her readers. This village is the background for the MacPhail family, of whom Effie, the youngest, is the prevailing spirit of the book. How real she is, how irritating her capacity for making a martyr of herself, and how lovable her curious, delicate tact. As the family drudge, Effie's nature accepts, even welcomes, her position, but her early childish unhappiness is almost too much for the reader. Her sister leaves 'home and Effie is loft to bear the full brunt of an invalid mother's irritation and a boorish father's complaints. Only once Effie rebels and goes without permission to a school picnic. When she returns her mother has had a stroke, which ends fatally. Effie feels responsible for her mother's death. It is her guilty secret. To make amends she slaves for her father and it is not until he dies that she has anv lifo of her own. Effie developes delightfully and from the moment that she falls in love the book becomes enchanting. Carefree and happyhearted she is adorable. But, of course, it is too good to be true. Effie s sister arrives home determined to be an invalid and Effie' plays the martyr once again Fortunately she has friends who see that she does not carry things too far. Ihe first half of the book is slow and dithcult, but it makes its effect. Effie, as a study in Scotch character, is no less interesting than Dr. Cronin s heroine in " Three Loves."

" The Crooked Laburnum," by Orgil Mackenzie. (J. M. Dent.)

THE AGE OP REASON SIX AUTHORS DISCUSSED Nothing perhaps would be more salutory to English prose writing than for its addicts to hark bank to the Age of Reason and learn something of the manner and methods of the famous galaxy of writers who flourished in that rich period. Mr. Bonamy Dobree, that learned and detached student, ha s passed six of thein under review in a series of critical essays called " Variety of Ways." His choice ! has failed on Dryden, Steele, Bunyan, Congreve, Manderville and Halifax, and the quality ho dwells on, so good for young modern novelists, is their common sense. Dryden it was, as Mr. A. C. Waid has expressed it " who first demonstrated how prose iniglit be made a clean, sharp, plain instrument for workaday purposes. Congreve sought to bring the novel from its high falutin' nonsense to look at real life. Steel chose his characters from among the human multitude. Bunyan dramatised his own soul, but the others helped in the movement toward realism. Each of these men was important, not only in his writings but in himself and i his attitude toward life. Mr. Dobree finds 1 it curious that all of them except Bunyan showed a strong inclination toward com- ! fort. So strong was it in Congreve that I his love for the company of duchesses i finally conquered his love of writing; and Mr. Dobree has a sly dig at Steele, " The problem was, and perhaps still is, not how women may be happiest, but how men may be happiest with women. Mr. Dobree's essays aro written with as much commonsense as ho finds in his subjects. " Varietv of Ways." Discussiona on Six Author". by Bonamy Dobree. (Oxford University Press.)