AUSTRALIAN EARLY DAYS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22214, 14 September 1935, Page 9 (Supplement)

AUSTRALIAN EARLY DAYS

A NEW " FAMILY " NOVEL Life in Australia from the close of the convict era to well after the Boer War is traced by Mr. Leslie Haylen in his excellent book " The Brierly Rose." This is the second novel produced by Mr. Haydcn, and if he maintains his present standard of writing it is to be hoped that many more will follow. Mr. Haylen has delved into the archives to obtain a correct perspective of early days in Australia, and his is a very true nnd clear description of the time of bushrangers, droughts and fires, while his presentation of Australian children, born of English pioneer stock, is a very fine piece of work. Interwoven with the story of Australian farm life are two romances, that of the Brierly Rose, than whom a finer woman character has seldom appeared in Australian fiction, nnd of Patsy, a young Australian girl, born in the outback regions and possessing a wonderful strength of character and a philosophy of life which is most refreshing. " The Brierly Rose " is the type of " family " novel which has recently risen again to popularity, telling first of the Brierly Rose's parents, then of Hose'and her marriage and, finally, of Rose and her family. " The Brierly Rose " is but one more novel to add to the steadily-growing list of excellent fiction which is being produced by Australians. " The Brierly Rope,'' by Leslie Haylen. (AngU9 and .Robertson.)