SOME REVIEWS IN BRIEF

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23618, 30 March 1940, Page 4 (Supplement)

SOME REVIEWS IN BRIEF

A Varied Selection

]\fTSS ANNE MEREDITH proclaims, downrightly: "I like my own life." What is more, in her autobiography, " Three-a-penny, " readers will like it, too. Over a career full of ups and downs, of periods of heartbreaking loneliness and many humdrum years, her gallantry prevails. Stimulating to follow, its sheer doggeduess should encourage would-bo writers. What fun it is to read of that clover deception, wherein Miss Meredith foists upon an eager public the detective works of her masculine counterpart, "Anthony Gilbert." Throe-a-ponny," by Anno Mcrodith. (Faber and Faber.) Fragile Beauty There is a delicacy about tlio poems of Dora Hagemever that moves one strangely—a fragile beauty etched in a few lilting lines. In her collection of "Sonnets" and other songs some of the most lovely examples of her rare sensitiveness of expression are found in "Courage," "Sanctuary," "Weeping Willow," "The Grass," and "Grief." Dora Hagemeyer's verses radiate a courage and steadfastness so much needed in these sorry, anxious days. "Sonnets and other Songs," by Dora Hagcmeyor. (Harry 11. Tombs.) Etiquette How often we are not certain of some little point of etiquette and seek in vain for the correct procedure. In "Brush Up Your Manners" we have the ideal hand-book giving bright and often witty rules for proper behaviour and manners in general. Country and town manners, table and party manners, dress and servants, manners in speaking and writing, and business and travelling manners are but some of the subjects discussed. All will find ibis a ready and helpful guide to perfect behaviour. The several sketches are wholly delightful. "Brush Up Your Manners," by Guy Pocock. (Dent.) Silent Traveller Mr. Chiang Yee is a philosopher with a calm, dispassionate outlook, who finds pleasure in such simple things as a walk on Ilampstead Heath; Regent Street, London, in the black-out; the moon over the Thames. In "The Silent Traveller in War Time" he writes with the inimitable charm of bis earlier books and with the same kindly comment on our British foibles, while his really i lovely drawings add to the beauty of his work.

"The Silent Traveller in War Time," by Chianjr Yee. (Country Life.) Charming Entertainment A best-seller in America, "Country Lawyer," the real-life story of the fortune's of a country lawyer who set himself up in Phelps, New York State, in the late 'sixties and practised there for 50 years, is charming entertainment. Nothing can be more fascinating than small beer when it is properly chronicled. And .Mr. Bellamy Partridge has found rich material in his father's files and in the family memories. Ho takes us back to a primitive, hardworking, happy village communityand makes its problems our own. Incidentally, he provides a portrait of Mr. Partridge senior, in which filial affection reveals rather than obscures a very human personality. "Country Lawyer," by Bellamy Partridge. (Harrap.) Brave Self-sacrifice "Tiger in the Heart," by Eileen Bigland is a powerful novel. It is the story of an unhappy marriage which the wife* would resent being described as such and with a man in the background true as steel and honourable to the last degree, shielding the woman from the "tiger in the heart" of the husband. It is a poignant story of brave selfsacrifice which in spite of the tragedy is a triumph. No mere synopsis of the plot can do justice to this novel which is worthy of a place on the library list. "Tiprer in tho Heart," by Eileen Biprland. (Ilodder and Strotißhlon.) The Grand Idea Those who put down on their library list "Mistress of Merle," by Henrietta Leslio, will not regret their decision. It tells how the Mistress of Merle found the upkeep of Merle was beyond her powers of management, and although a fair revenue was obtained from tourists who visited Merle as a show place, financial ruin seemed inevitable. Oliver, a great friend, has long desired to marry the Mistress—and does so eventually—.but he is loyal and true in spite of all rebuffs, and eventually he strikes a grand idea which, when carried out. saves Merle. "Mistress of Merle," by Henrietta Leslie. (Hodder and Stounliton.)