TASTES IN LITERATURE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21758, 24 March 1934, Page 19

TASTES IN LITERATURE

PENDULUM SWINGS AGAIN VOGUE FOR BETTER BOOKS Views on the ever-changing taste of the novel-reading public were expressed by Mr. John Lane, representative of the well-known publishing firm, the Bodlev Head, in the course of an address at a meeting of the Auckland Travel Club, held in the Hall of In--1 dustries rooms yesterday morning. The cpeaker was introduced by the honorary secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Victor Macky, who also extended a cordial welcome to Mr. and Mrs. J. Knox, jbf Londofay Mrs. Hindmarsh, of Sydney, Mrs. G. Jordan and Mrs. Wisdom, of Suva, Mrs. May Scott, of England, Miss Isobel Blakley, Traralgau, [Victoria', and the Misses Van Staveran, jof Wellington, all of whom were special guests of the club. A tremendous change had recently Occurred in literature in England, Mr. Jane said. Mystery novels and sex hovels had had their vogue, but all Appeared now to have given way to good literature. "I maintain that sooner or later the public will be completely 'fed up' with all this cheap stuff which has been flooding the market and ask for something better, and the pendulum is already swinging in that direction," the speaker said. As pvidence of, this the libraries were now asking for books on travel and philosophy, while biographies and other jfcypes of the more profound books were / Receiving a constantly increased demand. One of the most amazing changes in {the English literary world had sprung jap during the last few years in the growth of cheap libraries. These catered jfor the young working man and woman Jwho had neither sufficient money to Jjuy books nor to join the old-estab-lished type of circulating libraries iwhere deposits were required.,No subscription was charged for these new institutions, the borrower merely paying twopence for each volume and leaving his name and address as a guarantee of good faith. Naturally only the cheaper type of books found their way into these libraries, a novel by Ethel Si. Dell, for instance, being considered a "highbrow" among them. The result was, -however, that office boys and girls earning often less than £1 a, week ,were now able to read novels instead of "penny dreadfuls," and for this reason the speaker considered the institution of such, libraries a step in the right jiirection. . ~ ■ During the course of his "world tour Mr. Lane visited Japan and .found much to interest him there in the love r nhe- Japanese people had for.reading. There were whole streets of second--1 hand book shops, where at any hour of the day could be found large numbers of Japanese men and women busy leading. These book enthusiasts were of the poorer working class, who, having' no chance to- buy a book, were allowed to stay in the shop and read at their leisure. This had been one of the chief Reasons for the growth of reading in Japan, the people showing a marked preference for books dealing with, other' parts of the ,world, particuI Jarff tfie western -i»at?ons.- 7; - A cordial vote of "thanks to the BDeafcer at. the conclnsion. of his address was carried. Morning tea was ' served by a group of the members of the club.