Other New Publications

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22670, 6 March 1937, Page 4 (Supplement)

Other New Publications

TRAGEDY AND ROMANCE HUNGARIANS IN PARIS The story of a family against the world—of the Hungarian family of Barabas in Paris—is told by Jolanda Foldes iri her novel "ihe Street of the Fishing Cat," which won the £-1000 prize in the recent All Nations Prize Novel competition. It is a grent human document that has already been published in twelve count fes. The family of Barabas, comprising the parents, two daughters and one son. leave their native Hungary alter the Great War to seek their fortune in Paris where they live in the Street of the Fishinii Cat The members of the family do not find fortune in Paris, although they do obtain an intermittent securitv, a fair modicum of happiness and a'gradual understanding of their French neighbours. j Set in a community composed or French people surounded by a congregation of foreign exiles from Russia, Lithuania, Spain, and Greece, the story delves into the lives and philosophies of these people and brings to light a wealth of information, romance and tragedy. ... Of absorbing interest from beginning to end, this novel is a deserving winner of the All Nations Prize. "The Street of the Fisliintc Cat," by Jolandn Foldes. (Angus and Robertson.)

A SNAIL "ON THE AIR" " The Interminable Trudge of Samuel the Snail,' by Hugh E. Wright, with charming pictures by Eugene Hastain. is just sparkling fun from beginning to end. Samuel the Snail attained fame by being the first and only snail to broadcast. but his fame did not stop there, for he set out 011 a splendid adventure from his comfortable garden endeavouring quite cheerfully to crawl from England to Scotland! It is certain that any child will be so enchanted bv this book that he will read it over "and over again until soon he has it happily by heart. "The Interminable Trudge of Samuel the Snail." by Hutfh E. Wright. (Melhuen.)

LIFE ON THE OCEAN WAVE THE NAVY'S BAD OLD DAYS Anyone who likes to read of adventure in the Pacific during the days of Bligh and his mutineers will delight in C. S. Forester's latest book, " The Happy Return." The plot is simple, but in its essence sums up the haphazard methods of the admiralty of the time. Captain Hornblower, of the frigate Lydia, 36 guns, is sent out to the coast of South America to aid the Spanish colonists in rebellion against Spain, which at that time was allied to France. He captures the Spanish Pacific fleet, consisting of one 50-gun ship, and hands it over to the rebels, only to discover that Spain is now 011, good terms with England, against Napoleon. After a terrific battle he recaptures the Spanish vessel, sinks it and sails back to England. Apart from its exciting story, this novel describes vividly the conditions 111 the navy of the time—press-gangs, poor food, worse medical attention and crude/ fighting. The characters, excellently drawn, really live, and Mr. Forester's style is lucid and individual. " The Happy Heturn." by C. S. Forester. (Michael Joseph.)

DOPE TRAFFIC \ Mr. Sax Kohmer has returned to the Near East and the dope traffic, hut "White Velvet" is in many ways a book that it not characteristic of him. It is, for one thing, written with more tightness and a greater attention to style than most of his stories. For another, he has made an attempt to put some subtlety of life into his persons, and to a considerable degree he has succeeded. As a result, though there is no originality of invention in the plot, one is able to read this story of dopetraffickers and their pursuers without missing the broad strokes of melodrama one usually expects from Mr. Kohnier. "White Velvet," by Sax Rohmer. (Cassell.)