THE SIMPLE TOUCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22350, 22 February 1936, Page 35 (Supplement)

THE SIMPLE TOUCH

A VICAR AND HIS PARISH Those seeking relief from the spate of grimly realistic novels which has characterised the depression years will welcome "Mr. Theobald's Devil" as a delightful change. The story has tho quiet humour and simplicity which were enjoyed in Miss Keown's earlier novels, "The Cat Who Saw God" and "Mr. Thomson in the Attic." The main character, Mr. Theobald, is a somewhat muddle-headed but loved vicar of a country parish. He is persecuted by a particular, personal devil, who manifests himself by shifting the vicar's belongings, and he is further harassed by tho village despot, a spinster of uncertain age and temper. These trials Mr. Theobald accepts without murmuring, but he has the further misfortune of being compelled to bicycle up and down the numerous hills of his parish. He bores his unfortunate parishioners by preaching frequently and to great length on the text, "The hills shall be laid low." However, by the machinations of Miss Anne, the despot's younger sister, all his tribulations are overcome and even the obstinate hills are laid low when he is given a car. He realises he loves Miss Anne, and we leave him a completely happy man. "Mr. Theobald's Devil," by Anna Gordon Keown. (Macmillan.)