LITERATURE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20702, 27 April 1929, Page 4

LITERATURE.

NEW NOVELS. ALL SORTS OF AUTHORS.

By Constant Reader.

I- —SHEILA KAYE-SMITH. The medical man is coming into his own in fiction. In “My Brother Jonathan," Mr Francis Brett Young has painted a finished portrait of the every-day life of a doctor in the crowded slums of an English provincial manufacturing town. In “The Village Doctor” (Cassell) Miss Sheila Kaye-Sinith has provided a companion picture of a country practitioner in the Sussex Weald. Both stories Lrve the merit of painting the medical man in the correct perspective of love of his profession and devotion to duty. Dr Philip Green—Miss Kaye-Smith’s hero.—came to the countryside from a London hospital in Mile End, where he held the responsible position of senior obstetrician. The burden was too heavy for his slight frame, and his health demanded an easier life and country air. The figure of the doctor is carefully studied and his surroundings are etched in with equal care, the period being that of 50 years syne. At first the people of Speldhnm, with their naive native ways, provided the doctor with sufficient diversion, but presently he began to fe«l lonely. Laura Blazier is loved by Saul Peascod, but she weighs the advantages of being wife of the doctor with that of being a farmer’s drudge. At length she decides to marry Philip Green. The doctor, absorbed in his work, allows Laura to drift apart, and a chance meeting with Saul allows, a half-buried passion to blaze out. Only the tact and patience shown by the doctor towards his wife avert the threatened tragedy. The story is an enthralling one, and the real Sussex atmosphere is preserved throughout. - It is a refreshing novel which gives delight in the reading. 2. MICHAEL ARLEN.” In “Lily Christine” (Hutchinson) Mr Michael Arlen has fallen between two stools. In an evident endeavour to avoid the improprieties of “The Green Hat,” he has taken refuge in a series of puppets whose conduct is inhuman. Harvey is a colourless creature and his wife ‘Muriel makes him a fit companion, while Summerest, “ the greatest cricketer in his generation,” and his “ little bits of nonsense ’ is absolutely incredible, despite the admiration of his small sou Timothy. As for Lily Christine, with her blind faith in Summerest, her tragic fate is inevitable. The reader will find it almost impossible to - believe that English folk really do behave as is represented in this novel, of which the brilliance of style nearly succeeds in atoning for its manifold faults. But where “ The Green Hat was convincing “ Lily Christine ” fails, ana yet the book is bound to be read—out of curiosity, if for no other reason. 3 ARNOLD BENNETT. Mr Arnold Bennett is abominably Cleveland one never knows in what fresh place he is going to break out. As “ Accident ” (Cassell), the title of his new story, implies, the motive is the intuition of an accident on a railway journey in a train de luxe from Victoria to tilt Continent, and Alan Frith Walter’s reflections thereupon. It may shrewdly be suspected that Mr Bennett set out to parody the method of Miss Dorothy Richardson and to demonstrate that it can be done as effectually m a single volume as in a dozen books. It is smart but trivial, and surely never before was romance evolved amid such incongruous surroundings. It ia a book which must be read to the end, but it leaves the reader sadly unsatisfied. 4 rUPTONi SINCLAIR. Mr Upton Sinclair is a born propagandist. Hailing from Baltimore Maryland he began by being a poet, but. as a result of assisting in an investigation of the Chicago stock yards, he was diverted to writing “ The Jungle,” which 23 years ago made so great a sensation and fixed I his career as a Socialistic novelist. Amongst his propagandist-stories “King Goal, founded on the Colorado Strike, The Money Changers,” a diatribe against capitalism, and “ Oil,” reflecting °T-l 6 ea P°t Dome scandal, are books which, to be thoroughly understood, call for an intimate acquaintance with Ameri- - can contemporary history. This is especially the case with his latest novel “BosJT. Werner Laurie), founded on what Mr Sinclair believes to be, the maladministration of justice in the SaccoVanzetti trial, encompassing the civic and political life of the city of Boston. 38 a Dig book which runs into over 700 pages, and contains over 280,000 words, but, in company with its central theme; it presents a vivid picture of present day New England - civilisation, Mr Sinclair knows how to tell a story, and with marvellous- dexterity he weaves a mass of details taken first hand from contemporary history into complete fiction form. Boston ” is a masterly achieve--1“ a second story entitled “They o- Garpenter ” (T. Werner Laurie) Mr, Sinclair recalls memories of “If GhTist Came to Chicago,” with the scene stinted to a Western city readily recognised as Los Angeles. The figure of Christ comes down from a stained-glass window m a fashionable church, and accompanies through the city a wealthy' Joung society man who has been ill used by the mob when trying to see a German film. This gives the novelist the opportunity to contrast Christianity as he views, it with its actual practice in church and city life, and the contrast is made with much satiric force. In the end the narrator confesses that it was all a dream. 5. RICHARD STARR. In "Jacqueline on Her Own” (Herbert Jenkins), Mr Richard Starr has constrncted a clever fantasy which will be welcomed by the majority of readers as calling for no intellectual effort and yet making the time pass quickly. Jacqueline was a pretty model at a .fashionable London dressmaking establishment, and, from trying on beautiful dresses, she acquired f-r 0 re ‘? I V '?° wcar them and enjoy life. When, thanks to her kindness to an old crossing, sweeper, she found herself in possession of £SOO, Jacqueline decided to spend the lot and enjoy ore glorious hour of crowded life. Leaving her job, she put up at the Majestic Hotel and posed as a young lady of fashion and fortune. ■ She had all sorts of adventures. including being raided at a night club and being concerned in the theft ot a diamond _ necklace. Just when everything was at its worst and Jacqueline had to choose between starvation and an unsuitable marriage, Prince Charmin'* came along, and all was well. The story does not pretend to be real life, and it is all the more delightful on that account. It is a pure fantasy, and does not pretend to be anything else. 6. —H A U FRICHT-KEDA. The habit is growing of publishing Engiish translations: of novels by Continental authors, and ns long as the stories are worth while the habit is one to be encouraged. Exception, however, may he taken to translating such works as “The Case for the Defendant” (Allen and Unwin), by. Haufricht, Ruda. The justification that this is the first novel bv a young German author in no, wise improves the ppsition, fpr.it is. psychological to a most unpleasant degree. The explanation .is offered that to be a -doctor was the young novelist’s dearest dream, and that he- has studied psycho-analysis and psychiatry very thoroughly. . The scene of the novel is set in France ■ in the days of the Bourbons, and the only characters that matter are a young officer in the French Army and the daughter of his colonel—both neurotics of an extreme type. The girl, enamoured of the young man, forges letters which represent the young officer as having committed a shocking . assault upon her, and he has not the moral courage to refute, the charge. The book is described-as-the tragedy of two complexes. , A better description would be the' creation of an ' unhealthy imagination. It is .a 'story which gives neither pleasure nor profit. ’ 7.—FRANK SWINNERTON. ’ Mr Frank Swinnerton is a conscientious novelist whose work is very unequal. He will never do anything better than “ Nocturne " nor as good as “ Shops and Houses,” but he steadily pursues his calling at the rate of one novel each year. His characters are drawn from every-day London life, and he is at his best when he avoids sensational scenes and sticks to the commonplace, which he excels in depicting. His latest story, “A Brood of Ducklings” (Hutchinson), is thoroughly

characteristic. Ferdinand Meadows, a sensitive, old-fashioned father with two daughters, ' Rhoda and Catherine, monopolise attention throughout the book. The _ father vainly attempts to cope with the modern spirit which possesses the two girls, and is at variance with all his ideas of right conduct. His sense of responsibility towards them is almost overpowering, and when, through their independence of action, he is at length free to live his own life, the reaction is overwhelming. The novel is a competent piece of work, and will be enjoyed by all who prefer a quiet, well-written story. B.—A VARIETY OF WRITERS. “The Green Ghost” (Sehvyn and Blount), by Stuart Martin;—A mystery story embodying Voodoo secrets and introducing “One Eye" Sammy Uttock, a mulatto detective. Maud Barron’s father is mysteriously murdered in Jamaica, and the scene of the story shifts to England ere murder will out. It is quite a good story of its kind. “ Running Free ” (Chapman and. Hall), by Countess Barcynska.—A collection of 23 short stories of, more than average merit, some of which reach a respectable standard, “ Family Group ” (Hutchinson), by Diauo Patrick.—The Harlyn family, of aristocratic lineage and cultured tastes, is hampered owing to straitened means, and comparative adversity reacted strangely upon the differing temperaments of its members. Suddenly the father of the family came into a largo fortune, and again the change in circumstances reacted upon each member of the family. The skill of the novelist is shown in the careful development of each member of the family group so essentially indifferent and yet so racially alike. The novel will repay careful reading. “ Half Devil, Half Tiger" (John Murray), by R. J. Fletcher and Alex M'Lachlan.—A “thriller” of the first water narrating the efforts of Gilbert Davison, criminologist and secret service agent, to defeat the schemes of a gang of foreign dope fiends at the head of which is the commanding figure of Dr Justo Jose Kegules, a Central American dago and a perfect devil where cruelty is concerned. To say any more would spoil the book for the „ reader and minimise the thrills he is bound to experience in its perusal. “The Fatal Record” (Hutchinson), by. Christopher J. Booth.—An American dime novel of a crudely low type which should never have crossed the Atlantic. O.—POPULAR REPRINTS. Some books are immortal, and amongst these “ The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes " (John Murray) must surely find a 1 place. A stout volume of over' 300 pages, it- contains 12 episodes in which Holmes and Watson figure prominently. Originally published two years ago, these tales merit a long life in this new edition. .Many years ago “The Adventures of John Johns” (T. Werner Laurie), by Frederick Carrell, figured in' a police court case in Christchurch, and the book in consequence enjoyed a fictitious popularity. Turning the pages of this popular reprint, the reader may perhaps wonder what all the fuss was about. Certainly in these days of “The Well of Loneliness” and “The Sleeveless Errand” Mr Carrell’s story appears mild, not to 'say slightly dull. Certainly no such person as John Johns ever existed in real life, CLASSICS OF THE ORIENT. JAPANESE AND CHINESE. Students are increasingly turning their attention to the classics or the East, and Professor A, L. Sadley, who occupies the Chair of Oriental Studies in Sydney University, has made an important and invaluable contribution to such studies in his translations of two thirteenth century Japanese , classics;—“ The ; Hojoki” and selections from “ The Heike Monotagari," under the titlfes "The Ten Foot Square Hut” and “Tales of the Heike” (Sydney: Angus and Robertson, 6s). - < In his introduction Professor i Sadler says:.— ’ '. Thu translations here presented comprise the Hojoki or Ten Foot Square Hut, and _ selections . from the Heike Monogatari or Story of the Heike Clan, both of them masterpieces of Japanese literature of the thirteenth' century, and dealing with the same period from a different point of view. The Hojoki consists of the reflections of a recluse who had retired in disgust from a world that was too full of violent contrasts and cataclysms; both of an animate and inanimate nature, to allow a sensitive person to find- it at all tolerable. If, though there are some Japanese scholars who question it, tradition ascribes this work truly to Kamo-no-Chomei, it was disappointment at not being allowed to succeed to the ancestral position of Lord Warden of the Shrine of Kamo in Kyoto that caused him to forsake the world and go to live in the hills. As can be seen from the Heike Monogatari, which describes the period in more detail, Chomei was not singular in being deprived of position and income, neither was he the only one who sought refuge in nature and Buddhist philosophy. At least two of the highest in the land did so, too, for we read in the Heike Monogatari that “ Seirai and Shinhan, thinking it was no use remaining at Court in such an age, even .if they became Counsellors of State, retired from the world while still young. . . JJe that as it may, none of these distinguished recluses have left to posterity so charming a picture of their retirement as has the author of Ten -Foot Square Hut. . . . Professor Sadler points out that the Heike Monogatari corresponds to the Song of Roland or the. Sagas of Europe with which it is more or less contemporary. It differs, however; from the Song of Roland in being more historical, and also in being written in poetical prose andmot in verse. Andrew Lang is cited a B having observed that for some reason or other the greatest war poems in Europe nave been inspired by glorious defeats, such as those of Maldon. Flodden, Roncesvaux, and Culloden. To these must unw be added the Heike Mtfnogatari in Japan. From ♦he literary point of view no , C “U be found with Professor coalers rendering, which reads smoothly and well, and the value of the letterpress is enhanced by the numerous illustrations copied from Japanese originals. The book is a creditable addition to Australian scholarship. The striking figure of Confucius stands out the more clearly: in the translation from the French of M. Maurice Magre’s Confucius and His Quest” (Thornton Butterworth; 5s net) made .by Eliot Fav AI. Magre is learned and witty, and both these gifts shine forth in these pages riucu seek to show what manner of man Confucius was. and the‘manner of his caching. There is a charm also in the way ,n which the story ig told, and this is happily preserved in the translation. The book calls to the Men of the West to heed the great wise men of ancient China, and n so heeding 'the better to understand SideTn'ci™ Pr& ' Cnt proeccdin « in jag*BRIEF MENTION.' 1. —SICILY. -To their “ Things Seen ” scries Messrs Seeley. Service, and Co. have added lungs Seen m Sicily” (3 S 6( i by Isabel Emerson. Within convenient couipass and with suitable illustrations, this httle book tells all that the average man needs to know concerning one of the most beautiful islands , in the. world with its ancient buildings of red sandstone and its interesting; people. Represented by Miss an^hlstory 1 15 llldeecl a lanfl of‘legend * 2,—MARRIAGE. Under the title “The Woman a Man Marries (Jarrolds, 6s net), Dr Victor Cox Pedersen discusses a side of marriage which he considers is too much overlooked and often with tragic consequences—nameJy, the husband s side. T)r Pedersen argues that the wife’s attitude to marriage has got out of perspective iu these days and needs rectifying by the exercise of common sense. He advises every woman who contemplates matrimony as a preliminary to consult a male physician with a view to learning man’s side of the question as enforced by biology and bv physiology. In default of such a consultation he endeavours to make matters plain

m this book. The information is plainly given, but the standpoint may give rise to controversy. 3. IMMANUEL KANT. Under the title “Moral Law and the Highest Good ” (Melbourne: Macmillan and Go., 6s 6d). Dr E. Morris Miller, professor of psychology and philosophy in the University of Tasmania, has made a study of Immanuel Kant’s "Critique of Practical Reason," which he considers has been unduly overshadowed by the same writer’s “ Critique of Pure Reason.” This is only one of several contributions which Professor Miller has made in criticism of the Kantian doctrine and its relation to the basis of morality. It has a special interest as discussing lucidly and with much insight the Kantian argument in favour of . immortality and a belief in God. 1 4.—EDUCATION. In a pamphlet headed “ After Standard IV—What?” Mr A. G. Butcher seeks to show that the New Zealand Education Department would do well to adopt the recommendations of the Tate report made in 1925 in preference to the Majority report of the New Zealand Syllabus Revision Committee. The pamphlet is heavily documented and highly controversial, NOVELS WORTH READING; THE A.B.A.N.Z. LIST. This list has been compiled by a committee of competent judges nominated Dy the Associated Booksellers of. Australia and New Zealand. It is issued to serve as a guide to books of merit.' GENERAL LITERATURE. “ Wanderings in Wild Australia,” by Su Baldwin Spencer. “ The Case for Individualism,” by E. J. P. Benn. “Kings of Commerce,” by T. C. Bridges and H. H. Tiltman. “Boston,” by Upton Sinclair. “After Thirty Years,” by Viscount Gladstone. “ Undertones of War,” by. Edmund Blunden. “Essays in Satire,” by Ronald Knos. ‘ Mountains, Gold, and Cannibals,” bv D Booth.. NOVELS OF LITERARY MERIT. “ Ultima Thule,” by Henry Handel Richardson, “The Village Doctor,” by Sheila KayeSmith. “ Crescendo,” by E. Mannin. NOVELS FOR POPULAR READING. “Singing Gold,” by Dorothy Cottrell. Darkened Rooms,” by Sir Philip Gibbs. Accident,” by Arnold Bennett. "And All That Beauty,” by Roy Bridges. “The Village Doctor,” by Sheila KayeSmith. “ Dear Acquaintance,” by Rosemary Rees.