SYMBOLIC NOVEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22468, 11 July 1936, Page 4 (Supplement)

SYMBOLIC NOVEL

PROGRESS AND THE MACHINE Kravnik, a modern city on the coast of Albania, is portrayed as ono of those mushroom growths springing out ot the virgin forest and composed of steel and concrete; a symbol of hard business efficiency. Its rulers used to meet and plan to squeeze more profits by exploiting the people with thirteen hour clocks which added an hour to the working day, and cunning building schemes.

Within the city was an Albanian peasant whom chance gave tho advantages of a modern education. Eagerly he embraced it, finding pleasure in the mechanical toys of civilisation. But soon his joy turned to hatred, and he decided to use his knowledge against tho society from which 110 had acquired it. . His chemical studies provided him with a weapon, and he started to destroy the city, the symbol of laughterless 'efficiency and heartless self-seek-ing. Into the breach springs a little typist whom the city had bruised and flung aside. She too hated Kravnik, but there was a compassion in her which would save it. She pleaded with him.

" Your war is not against Kravnik," she said, "but against those who built it and who rule it —thirty men perhaps. There are others. There are many thousands of them. They are the people with whom I work, and I am one of them." But her pleading was in vain. Dramatic is tho moment when he confronts the rulers in secret conference and dictates terms. This man, this Albanian peasant, would stay progress! But fate takes a hand and progress sweeps up and over him, and the trees continue to fall. " Down Come the Trees " is exciting and symbolic, but like so much symbolism, singularly free from laughter. "Down Come the Trees," by Anthony Thorne. (Heinemann.)