RAPID REVIEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19009, 3 November 1923, Page 4

RAPID REVIEWS.

A. NUMBER OF NEW NOVELS. 1. “The Brahmin’s Treasure,” by C. E. Bechhofer (Mills and Boon). Mr Bechhofer has travelled widely as that popular book “A Wanderer's Log” abundantly testified. He is also a close observer of movements and of men and possessed of a degree of critical acumen ably displayed in such a book as “The Literary Renaissance in America.” Ho has turned these qualities to good account in what appears to bo his first venture in fiction, the scene of which is for the most part laid in India. Mr Bechhofer evidently writes of what he knows and has experienced. He seems to be in doubt, however, as to whether to believe in or discount the philosophy and the mystery of the East. At least he derides the doubtful imitations which pass muster in the West. “The Brahmin’s Treasure” is a story instinct with mysticism, but mysticism so mingled with trickery and insincerity as to create scepticism concerning its reality. At the same time much of its phenomena la inexplicable except on the ground ot illusion. Mr Bechhofer has little that is good to say of the theosophists of England : “they had a bad name in Anglo-Indian circles and an even worse one among the Hindus*’ The prominent personages in the movement are described as “an old Englishwoman crazed with ambition end conceit, a nasty old gentleman, a bewildered Brahmin boy whom this pair were educating in the belief that he was an incarnation of divinity, and a chorus of barefooted English women in flowing robes,” Mr Bechhofer castigates severely another organisation under the title of the “Better ’Thought Society,” whoso practices are nictured as' fraught with incipient immorality. “The Brahmin’s Treasure” has barely sufficient plot and characterisation to carry the material with which it is weighted. The book is timely, however, in the light it sheds upon Anglo-Indian problems of which Mr Bechhofer manifests a sound grasp. 2. “The Lord of Thundergatc,” by Sidney Herschel Small (Hurst and Blackett). This story, of American origin, is admirable in Its fidelity to the atmosphere of modern Japan besides exhibiting the Japanese character in a light which goes far to explain the indomitable spirit that has been shown since the recent terrible earthquake. The story concerns the adventures of Rober t Wells, son of a missionary. He was brought md by a Japanese nurse, who instilled into his child mind Japanese ideas and customs and Japanese legends until ho developed more like a Japanese than an American. By a curious (rain of events, set by the author in a remarkable Japanese environment, Wells was led to impersonate Kayama San, son of the Lord of Thundergatc, who, on the death of old Aoehi, his father, became Lord of Thundergate himself. The real Kayama San, a dissolute wretch, who paid Ihc penalty of his sins, was to take to wife a white girl, Ellen Ainsmith by name, but known as O-Hana-San. Carried off from her parents at the time of the Boxer rising she had been brought up by Tsi-K’ung, a learned Chinese. In the guise of Kayama San, Wells makes Ellen’s acquaintance, and the development of the bovo between (be, two is finely and delicately told. Presently the scene of the story shifts to America, where the doubledealing which had reduced Wells to the plight compelling his Japanese impersonation has a dramatic exposure. “The Lord

of the Tbundergato” is an unusual book of vivid interest, and opening up quite a utnv vein ot Japanese lue and customs. o. *-mo Chinese Bungalow,” by Clarion Osiuomi (Joan Long).—xius book, eonlains a reunslio picture of Jifo on the ruoDer plantations in the Finlay States, amt especially dwells on the evil consequences wiuefi loliow me nmtmagu or x-ngnsli women to v.ealiny Ciimamen. .Existence in tnese climes and amid me tropical surroundings is highly demoralising, espeeiuky to Eng.isli women, and the epitupn oi iVialaya is “ nd apa,” or “ iNober mind.” it is a elunaie m whica jauou appei-tes aro continually slimunneu witn "gin snugs ' and "steilgans, ' and W'itii disastrous results. Thu picture presented is not a pleasing one, nut tiie nook is instructive as snowing me heavy Lou taken or decency and mora-ity m order taut commerce may ho extended and civilisation provided wun materia] lor luxurious living. Tim background apart, -Miss Osmond has a gut lor lolling a story well and witn effect. 4. —Tiio Dragoman,” by Aim i-rances Everard (tlutchinsun). —Judging from the anuudant supply, more must oe a strong demand for desert stories of tno “Sheik type, and Airs Everard is well able to create the atmosphere. A proper •■desert” story supposes a beautiful English girl at the mercy of a handsome romantic Arab, wbo alter all is on.y an Englishman in disguise. Mrs Evcraid varies the plot by providing two girls, Valerie and Stephanie Ellciicourt, journeying lo Morocco. They accept the escort of a fascinating Spaniard who rejoices in the name of Count Raymond Welrnore EsU-lia. With a count so named romance becomes habitual, and small vvond er that Stephanie, the younger sister, should bo curried away, physically as well as hi heart. Desert stoiy lovers will find all and more than they expect in ''The Dragoman.” 5. “All’s Fair,” by J. E. C. Dolby (Dodder and Stoughton) —Evelyn V alentinu (Juu.ua torch was in August, laj.4, spending tho last days ot a year oi "hniofnng ' m a Belgian convent. xo escape irom me German invasion sue “left tho mud sisters, begged a ntt in the curt of old Pierre Boudin, and took the road for Brussels and salety.” btartlcd by the stones she had heard of German outrages, Evelyn “cajoled out of old I‘icrru the blouse and trousers and heavy bouts of ids son,” cut her hair very close round by the cars, and was off. In this guise Evelyn succoured Bir Gerald Singleton, Bart., D. 5.0., wounded in an encounter with a German patrol, and the two seek refuge in a chateau which is speedly invaded by drunken German troops. It needed the timely intervention of the Graf Dietrich von der Auer, major in the Kaiserin Augusta Regiment of the Guard, attached to the staff of General von Eresch, (o save Evelyn from death or worse. After this Gerald and Evelyn have all sorts of perilous adventures in endeavouring to reach safety. Almost all the characters in this book are such as have been, met before, and there is little that is new- or fresh in the treatment. “All’s Fair’ is a disappointing story. 6. “The Voice at Johnny-Wafer,” by B. M. Bower (Hodder and Stoughton). This is an American story which, beginning amid the “movies” of Los Angeles, shifts to a ranch in the West and develops into a stirring treasure hunt mystery and one of tho best, of its kind. Gary was a handsome popular film actor • and was beloved by Patricia, who was a stenographer. Patricia, jealous of the film actresses to whom Gary professionally made love, determined to change her calling. To this endshe bought, surprisingly cheaply, a. real ranch, stock and all complete. With difficulty she persuaded Garv to go West and take charge. In doing this he discovered tno reason why the last cccunant had vacated the place so hurriedly 'Gary nothing daunted decided to see the thing through, and how, in spite of what threatened a tragedy, he ultimately succeeded form., the burden of the booh. Tho story holds fho reader from start to finish, ami a touch of tho supernatural provides some* extra thrills. 7. “Big Strong Man.” by Charman Ed wards (Robertson and Mullens, Melbourne), '■? a stilted, impossible story which might mi, ( I ’.e' oo<! melodrama, hut is bad fiction i.ho “big strong man” is John Copplestone, son of a Cornish larjdowner. On the eve of his marriage with Joan Dawlish he becomes enamoured of Clare Masters, a Lon don beauty, whose husband, Austin Masters, speculates in mining ventures. Tho amours of John and Clare occupy a largo part of the book to tho boredom of the reader. There is also introduced a caricature of a clergyman in the shape of Father Meredith with, most original ideas on tho marriage question. Austin Masters, having interested John in the Black Rock Copper Syndicate, goes off to the Continent with another man’s wife, and thereafter the action of the story becomes involved and the interest peters out. There is an artificiality about the hook which is decidedly unhealthy and all covered by a pose of the higher morality. 8. “Under the Red Flag,” by Max Joseph Pemberton (Mills and Boon). It, seems a pity that Mr Pemberton should consent to put his name to such a farrago as this story. One Klivinsky, a Bolshevist possessed of the jewels of the Royal house of Russia, is, under the name of John Smith, head of a vast, revolutionary conspiracy which aims at the overthrow of society in Britain. One of Smith’s tools is an ■‘•n thusiast called Konrad Katz, whose eloquence sways the multitude. Katz goes to stay with the Earl of Wickhairipste-ad. a philanthropic nobleman who devotes his vastwealth to schemes for ameliorating the. lot of tho worker. The Earl has a sister, the Lady Ann, with whom Konrad falls in love. Discovering the duplicity of Smith, Katz takes sides against, the revolutionaries and eventually proves to be Gabriel Hearn, a popular loader who was supposed to have been drowned. The Hook is full of crudities, and neither in stylo nor in matter can it- be commended. 9 "Film-struck’, or a Peep Behind the Curtain,” by Adolphus Raymond (Stanley Paul). The adventures of Nora Brown, who went up to London from Heigham village in search of fame on the films, is here detailed with much verisimilitude. _ The book may he commended to all aspirants after kinema-stardom, since it sets down the difficulties which bar tho way. In particular the chicanery of the so-called “Irinema schools” is described, and the disappointment which awaits tho pupils when their tuition ceases is indicated. The book is interestingly written, and it should servo as antidote to tho ambitious ideas of all film-struck maidens.