A WANDERER'S TALES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23037, 14 May 1938, Page 4 (Supplement)

A WANDERER'S TALES

Fascinating, Life Story

By J.F.B.

NOW and again, with the sudden delight that must accompany any discovery of real importance, a reviewer comes across a book by a man whose style has no harshness, and who himself, one instinctively feels, must be a good, solid friend. Such a book is Mr. George Digby's first, "Goose Feathers." There is nothing spectacular in it, either in subject or style, yet it is written in 30 effortless and intimate a manner as to be a complete ■ character-sketch of the author, for all his denials that it is a full autobiography. George Digbv found himself in Ceylon at the age of 16, whisked by circumstances from an English public school o the managership of an area of tea-gron-ing land. It is hero that he begins his story, the reader being introduced first to a very' bewildered youth staggering under a load of unexpected responsibilities. . On tho plantation lie was more than manager; 110 was father-confessor, doctor, jiulgo and jury,' midwife and friend to somo hundreds of natives, and his genuino affection for these improvident but lovable peoplo shines cleaily throughout tho book. It is plain that he has never forgotten his early days in Ceylon. Huge sections of a life that lias been crammed with interesting experiences aro barely hinted at 111 Air. Digbv's book. One learns, merely incidentally, that lie spent some time in both Australia and New Zealand, but lie next tells of his sojourn in New Guinea, confessing himself cheerfully as a successful poacher of birds of paradise. Wandering through the Islands on trading schooners, tlie author, journalist and leisurely sightseer, found much to interest him, and tho best of it he has passed 011 to his readers. ... Japan Air. Digby did not like. It is in the pages dealing with Japan that tho journalist in him is revealed, and only hero docs one seo the slightest resemblance to tho famous books of other leading newspapermen of the day. In spite of the fact that he retains few favourable impressions of the country, ho gives a vivid impression of life in the Land of the Rising Sun, the results of the observations of a man who went there with an open mind, and who has already displayed his ability to sum up fairly an individual or a nation. A confirmed wanderer, Air. Digby commenced to write his book in London, at tho timo of tho Coronation, hut drifted to Franco, to a quiet village in Provence, to finish it. Hero he took a house, called La Boiigcotte, "wanderlust," and so the old superstition of the goose-feathers followed or led him across the world, "Goose Feathers," by George Digby. (Collins.)