RECENT FICTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22562, 4 May 1935, Page 4

RECENT FICTION

“ The Bead Leads on.“ By Emit Hamsun. (Blch and Cowan.) 12s 6d. "Ten Peacock*." By S. Andrew Wood. (Ward, look.) ■ „ “ Strangers Come Home." By Ronald Macdonald Douglas. (Macklehose.) m “The - Price of Adventure." By William Bolt. (Ivor Nicholson, and Watson.) " The ■ Beckless Company." By r. W. oa T *‘An Untold°Tale.'' By Lady Kitty Vincent. W * n Dea 8 th at the Horse Show." By Vernon Loder. (Crime Club.) „ „ ... "The Hands of A Man." By Marguerite Williams. (Blackie.) _ . . „ . „ " The Tavern Kogue.” By Bobert Gordon Anderson. (Cassells) « The Rancher s Revenge. By Max Brana. (Hodder and Stoughton ) (Wrleht »Satan Ltd." By Gwyn Evans. (Wrlgnt T" The° W Wolf Deputy.” By Hal Dunning.- 1 unless otherwise stated.)

Norwegian Life A new novel from the pen of Mr Knot Hamsun, the veteran Norwegian novelist who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1921, is an event of some literary im nortance. In “The Road Leads On ?from Messrs Whitcombe and lombs) Mr Hamsun returns to the village of Segelfoss, which is already familiar to his readers and those who his descriptions of the life of the v 11 age wall not be disappointed in his latest work. Characteristic of his reputation for thoroughness, the book is a laige one of over 450 pages. Several romancesaiinterwoven, there are. several tense incidents and several violent deaths, out, despite them, the atmosphere, of the book is essentially quiet. These are but quickcnings in the beat of the pulse of the village, and after their immediate effects the normal tempo is restored and life goes on. Those last words really in dicate the meaning of the title, for the word " leads ” is used to indicate continuation rather than progress. Tim is a fault on the part of the translator Which is repeated throughout the hookfaulty selection of phrase and word which, incidentally, has also been apparent in previous American translations from the Norwegian. In the stoij, Theodor, the storekeeper who successfully -introduced new commercial methods into the village and accumulated sufficient wealth to enable him to take the place of the old local aristocracy, has grown old, and the heir, Gordon Tidemand, who is not. as the old man suspects, Jiis son, has taken control of the business. His gipsy blood, however, gives him. a love for ostentation without the business acumen of his father to pay for it. True, he succeeds in aweing the village folk, but ne is often thankful for the advice of old August, the handy man. August is a very real personality, very human in ms vanity, and very familiar in his weakness for mysterious references to a colourful past. But, in some way. the author invests him with an atmosphere reminiscent of some of the gigantic, vague figures of Norwegian mythology, and unconsciously one finds oneself thinking ot him as something ultra-human. .Tins is peculiarly effective since August is really the presiding genius of the place. Gordon Tidemand consults him in everything and seldom in vain. His mother, Gammelinoderen, also consults August about her gipsy lover. She is another character whom the’author has invested with almost more than human elan. But, unfortunately, August’s wisdom is of no use to himself. .He acquires wealth and invests it fantastically in buying sheep to pasture on thte mountains, and one can foresee disaster. His love for the young girl Cornelia and its tragic conclusion heightens Hus impression, and one is prepared for the rather cynical, pessimistic note given by the death of August, who is swept over a cliff by a mob of his own sheep. The story, with its large gallery ■ of -living , characters —the druggist who unaccountably robs the gipsy of his lover, the •* doctor,' the postmistress, the strange., witehlike woman, Aase, and all the rest—is 'impressive by its solid reality. It is also notable for the quiet, smiling humour which is most pronounced in the description of the village concert, an old enough subject, which is here treated with delightful freshness.

The Author Knut Pedersen Hamsun was born in northern Norway in 1860, and, from the age of four, he grew up under the care of an uncle in one of the relatively bleak and grim Lofoten Islands. As a young man he published his first two books—now forgotten—with money saved penny by penny from his wage as a cobblers apprentice. The following 12 years me spent in wandering about the country engaging in various occupations. He emigrated to America and became a farmhand to a dairyman in Dakota. He returned to Norway, still leading an aimless existence, • and again travelled to America,; this time becoming a fisherman off Newfoundland. In all this he was unconsciously preparing for the writing of his book, “ Hunger,” which he now commenced to write. He wrote a tale based on his own early experiences with detachment and without bitterness, and its success put an end to his roving existence. The rest of his career has been a simple process'of growth until he attained the position of leading Norwegian novelist and Nobel prize winner. He is now resident. in Norway and, apart from writing, his chief, interest is farming. He has published more than 30 books, including “Growth of the Soil,” “Vagabonds” and “Pan.”

Tropical Adventure The author of “Ten Peacocks,” Mr S. Andrew Wood, provides almost too much excitement in his story. Murder and violence is almost a commonplace to his heroes and heroines. In order to become the private secretary of Mr Henry Marlowe, Clare Gray consents to pass as his daughter. The scene then shifts to the East, the Malay Archipelago to be more exact, and here she marries the son of an English rajah. Unfortunately, poison disposes of the rajah just when Clare’s identity, which she has kept a secret, is revealed. Naturally the young husband felt entitled to an explanation, but, without paying much heed to it, he goes off in a dudgeon and succumbs to the affections of a beautiful stranger.' The author provides all the thrills —except the pictorial reality—of a sensational film, and his villains are anything but prejudiced in the variety of their means of disposing of inconvenient persons. Square Pegs

The occupation of a crofter apparently leaves Mr Douglas sufficient leisure wherewith to ponder the futility of human square pegs trying to fit themselves into round holes, and in “ Strangers Come Home " he demonstrates this impossibility per medium of, a number of short stories that form a pungent evidence of the author's perspicuity. Mr Douglas’s main philosophy is that though one may to outward appearances orientate oneself to one's surroundings, either of business or home, there is inherent in everyone a species of old Adam which yearns for days or scenes that are past, and, given the

chance, may, without warning, conquer the emotions to which it has so long been subordinated. This much, of course, is fairly self-evident, but the author goes a good deal further when he details cataclysmic results which might attend the

as come home

outbreak of a sudden yearning on a body and mind which have been too long repressed.

Lancashire—and Spain One of Mr Holt’s virtues as a writer is that he uses materials with which he is personally well acquainted, and in “ The Price of Adventure,” as in his previous novel, “ Backwaters,” he is largely concerned with problems affecting the lives of Lancashire cotton weavers. This wellwritten novel tells of an ambitious young man, who, after working as a weaver, becomes. unsettled and sets out to find what his desire in life is. He seeks it first in Oxford, and then in Spain. Finally, he returns again to the looms, and. achieving a small measure of success, settles down among hia own people. The descriptions of landscape, at home and abroad, reveal a -loving observer of natural phenomena and invest the book with a charm which contrasts well with the descriptions oi life in the industrial town.

Peruvian Conquest In the story of the conquest of Peru by a handful of Spaniards, who had literally burned their boats behind them, Mr de Yalda had all the materials for a tale of thrilling adventure at his hand, and he has made good use- of his materials. So strange are the incidents, so cruel and $o courageous the adventures, that one feels instinctively that there must be truth behind it. . This is not to suggest that the author has slavishly followed Prescott’s classic work; he has steeped himself in the history of the times, made the material his own, and used it for a novel, bodied out by the_ fruits of his imagination. The result is not a great historical novel —it lacks depth but it is a thrilling tale which is a very considerable achievement for a first novel. ,

Scottish Nationalists’ Plot It is the ambition of a small body of Scottish Nationalists to restore their country to the status/of an independent nation, but so far their activities have been confined to talking. In ‘ An Untold Tale ” Lady Kitty Vincent tells the story of a conspiracy of some fanatical Nationalists with the German Nazis to disrupt the Union by force, the plans including an air raid. Fortunately the British Secret Service, through the agency of Gyp Kiknadze. gets a clue of what is about to happen. It is a very mystifying clue, hut its unravelling makes a thrilling story and the plotters are sent to their doom in a boat in the North Sea after a duel with a Secret Service aeroplane. Associated with Gvp are Big Bear, an Indian chief, Neujeunee, a pony, and Kholo, a ;dog, all of whom are pleasant creations.

Death by the Hoof A horse’s hoof is the novel weapon of murder employed by the criminal in Vernon Loder’s “Death at the Horse Show.” A young man is killed by a sudden kick from a horse. _ The occurrence is apparently an accident, but why should a quiet horse suddenly become vicious? — The groom finds a tiny wound in the horsed quarters and the first suspicion is raised. A second murder occurs and the police are called in. The solution is reserved until the last page. “ The Hands .of a Man ”

In this unusual novel Miss Williams tells a moving story of a man’s conquest over affliction. The central figure is a young doctor, who though stricken with blindness, does not despair but becomes a famous specialist. The psychological reactions are well traced and there is also a strong element of romance which brings the story to a happy conclusion. The book is one for those who like fiction which is more than superficial. The Author

A daughter of the manse, Miss Williams, has a rich harvest of experience to draw upon from her own years of welfare work of social service. Since embarking on her literary career she has written several successful biographies, including a life of “Joan of Arc,” as well as novels. She also edited her father’s “Personal Reminiscences of C. H. Spurgeon.”

Elizabethan Romance Adventure in Elizabethan times, with violent doings in the streets of London, wassailings in the Mermaid Tavern, and meeting with immortal men and women, all told with great gusto is the fare offered in “Tavern Rogue.” Sir Walter Langlade, also known as Walt of Essex, is an outlaw, rough soldier and vagabond who is equally at home with the great wits of the famous Mermaid Tavern. Mr Anderson has endeavoured, with some success, to infuse the hearty spirit of the times into his characters and to do this he has even gone the length of borrowing incidents from / well-known writings of the times. ®ig Walt disposes of an enemy in a wash-basket and kills a spy between an arras. It may be that Mr Anderson has done this to give his character an added verisimilitude by making his adventures appear to be the inspiration of Shakepeare’s scenes but, if so. the trick is hardly within the rules of the game. Big Walt has an ingratiating knack with him and seems on good terms with trouble since they are never far apart and it cannot be denied that those who follow him will be pleasantly diverted. Rancher’s Revenge

Here we have a story of the terrible power for evil of a hypocritical man whose very soul has been handed over to the devil. Daniel Finlay hates all men, especially Bob Witherell and John Saxon. He sets them against one another while pretending friendship with both. Saxon kills Witherell and is driven out into the wilderness to fight with men against whom he feels no enmity at all. All the time Finlay is gloating over his dreadful handiwork. One woman, however, knew. Finlay and through her his power was broken, justice triumphed, aud John Saxon and Mary Wilson read) true happiness. As characters, Finlay and Saxon are well drawn and appeal to the reader as true to life. Fantastic Theme Although “ Satan, Ltd.,” is likely to prove too highly imaginative for the realist, it has many points worthy of commendation. The plot rests on the activities of six men who, horribly mutilated during the war, determine to ensure peace by kidnapping or killing the most prominent armaments makers, and since they possess the pow T er of making themselves invisible, their task is not unduly difficult. Whatever demerits this book has, lack of vigour is certainly not one of them.

Twin-Jim Allen Hal Dunning has given ns another very readable story of his favourite character “ Twin-Jim Allen, alias the Wolf.” Jim is special deputy of Hidden Valley County. His appearance ns a law officer is the very reverse of impressive, but he is able to do the work required of him, especially now when a crop of undesirables have invaded what was once a place of quiet repose. Allen is really doing the sheriff’s work, and one by one he lays the scamps of the place by the heels until at last he out-manomvres Major Moran—really “The Duke” —a killer if over there was on&. But that .sets him fleeing once more, the Law hot on his trail.