DEMAND FOR BOOKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26042, 4 January 1946, Page 5

DEMAND FOR BOOKS

THE BRITISH PEOPLE AN IMPROVED TASTE (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) (Rec. 9.30 p.m.) Jan. 3. One of the interesting influences of the war in Britain has been the enormously increased demand for books of all kinds together with an improved taste in literature by the general public. To-day, it is said, people are reading and buying more books than ever before, while books were one of the most popular Christmas presents, since many other types of gift were difficult to acquire, and, above all, they do not require the yielding of coupons, nor have they risen in price excessively. This demand did not occur immediately the war began, but during 1941. People not only remained at home more in preference to going to the theatre or the kinema, but also they did not care for being caught' away from home during air raids. Others wished to pass their time while on duties such as fire-watching. Men in the services abroad were also unending in their requests for books. The arrival of peace has done nothing to stay this appetite, but there was noticeably less demand for books on or about the war unless they were outstanding, or for those dealing with cookery. Earlier, war books sold rapidly, but now the average person is rather tired of them, and wants to forget the subject as much as possible. Only such accounts as that given by Alan Moorehead in his “Eclipse” are in popular demand at the moment. “Why Singapore Fell," by Bennett, is also much sought after. People have been trying out new recipes to furbish up war rations for so long that they have become tired of the whole subject of cookery, though to prove the rule, the exception is “ Kitchen Fugue,” by Sheila Kaye Smith. While novels and thrillers are as popular as ever, there is also much more interest in the classics and history, and also poetry. The best seller among the classics is “ War and Peace,” by Tolstoi, while there has also been a great demand for works by Anthony Trollope, Jane Austen, Dickens, and to a lesser degree. Thackeray. Professor G. M. Trevelyan’s “English Social History ’’ has been one of the historical best sellers, while Arthur Bryant’s books, and Lord Elton’s “ Imperial Commonwealth ” are also in strong demand. Poetry hap been read a great deal more, including poems by Brooks, Masefield, and Tennyson, while among modern poets favourites have been Sidney Keyes and Alun Lewis. Kipling, apparently, is not as popular as he was. but “ Rudyard Kipling ” by Hilton Brown, has been much read.

Many people have been collecting books, especially those on art, pottery, and furniture, and there is also an increase in the demand for religious publications, particularly those by and others, such as the “ Scretape Letters.” Books of a political nature, such as Gunther’s “Inside Europe ” and Reed’s ‘ Insanity Fair,” failed to maintain their attraction. There has been a steady demand for novels. “ Green Dolphin Country ” by Elizabeth Goudge, and “ Gone with the Wind ” by Margaret Mitchell, are popular, with steady inquiries for works by Somerset Maugham, Philip Gibbs and C. S. Forester. “Forever Amber ” has been widely read, though many people confess they found it boring. Thrillers by any author are devoured. American writers are also much sought after, Hemmingway, Steinbeck. Edna Ferber, Bromfield and Parkington Keyes probably being among the most widely read. Many people are studying languages, of which Spanish, surprisingly, is at present taking first place. This, it is stated, is because they anticipate an increase in the trade with South America.

It is expected that this demand for books in Britain will continue indefinitely if for no other reason than that the public-has acquired the reading habit