BOOK OF THE WEEK

Taranaki Daily News, 21 January 1933, Page 1 (Supplement)

BOOK OF THE WEEK

LOVE, AND THE LIBERTINE

(By

U.S.)

, , “Devil’s Cub,” by Georgette Heyer. William Heinemann Ltd., London, per Thomas Avery & Sons Ltd., New Plymouth. Price 6s.

“Devil’s Cub” is a comfortable and comforting volume. Miss Heyer’s delight in the fascinating, artificial, breezy later eighteenth-century days is wellknown, and “Devil’s Cub” is another chapter of. that story of contrasts.

It needs skill as well as delight to tell of those days with realism suffic to give the stories life, yet with no undue emphasis upon the ugher s the “affairs” between high-bred viUam and lowly maiden; to make .the atmosphere of an all-night sit g London gambling hpll the background for the display of manners developedl a-fine art as well as of passions that, were swinish and brutal; of courtesy which could be. more deadly curse; a society which with all its grie ous failings, never failed to live up to its code whatever the price demanded. Miss Heyer has this bappy but though she does not spare the weakness and cupidity of men or women, though she does not ignore that desire can almost work the miracles ascribed to the daring of true, love, and that m affairs of the heart men and women are much the same in motive whatever their breeding or circumstance, she still contrives to give her readers assurance that right will triumph, that love will be requited and that no matter how great may be the tangle virtue will win through if only it has wit as well as steadfastness. , '.?/.' . • Dominic, Marquis of Vidal, only son of Justin, Duke of Avon, had a reputation envied by the average young buck' of his period; He had also a mother, Deonie. a former French ward of the Duke of Avon. Her grace is the most delicious of the characters in the story. Vidal is a dare-devil in all He has killed more than one man in a auel, his “affairs” with women are, notorious, his gambling the ■ talk of London .town, and his nickname “Devil’s Cub” he owes to the fact, that his grace of Avon, who imperturbably admits it to his son and others, had a youthful career which was even more reprehensible. Occasionally, very occasionally, his grace in his old age thinks that-out of his experience.he is. entitled to address advice and warn-. ( ing to his son. On one occasion, he issues a command, and even the defiant Lord Vidal obeys. The scene which leads to that order from father to son is as Vivid, as a thunderstorm- The clash of will against will is expressed in courteous phrase and with wit as keen -asrapier blade. Only at the close of the argument does it. become apparent that the older will is the dominant. ■

Exiled to France because of a duel fought in his cups after a night in a ‘gambling hell. Lord Vidal leaves home with one regret—he has disturbed his mother’s peace of mind. Their parting is characteristic. . “It’s my damnable temper maman.” he said ruefully. She ''■know that it -is, myyou have, mon pauyre., . My. father, was of a character the most abominable. And-hot-headed! He shot himself in the end. which was a very good thing. He had red hair like mine?” “I haven’t that excuse.” said her son, grinning. “No, but you behave just as I should like to when I am .enraged,” Leohie said candidly. “You see, Dominique, I am not a respectable person and you are not a respectable person either. And,l did want you to be.” “I’m sorry, maman. But I don’t come of respectable stock, either side.” She slipped her hand in his. “Well, I have been thinking, Dominique, that perhaps the best thing would be for you to be in love and marry somebody,” she said confidentially. “But I could .never hope to find another woman like you, maman. If I could I promise you I’d marry her.” “Then you would make a great mistake,” said Leonie wisely. “I am not at all the sort of wife for you.” Whatever may be thought of that leavetaking it will be admitted that it gives the impression of reality,' and readers will find it is but one of many touches of - character-drawing done, if it is allowable to say so, by letting Miss Heyer’s men and women reveal themselves. .

■ Lord Vidal was nearer taking his mother’s advice than he or she’thought possible at-that hour of parting. Affection for his mother did not turn the “CUb” ..from his intention to take with ■him into exile a mistress whom he had cajoled and flattered into thinking that by an elopement she could prevail upon Lord Vidal to marry her. Sophia Challoner was the younger daughter of a well-born man who had committed 1 the unpardonable error, in his own society, ■of having married a trader’s daughter whose beauty had attracted him. Ostracism by his family followed, though the said family occasionally carried out what it conceived its duty towards Challoner’s children.

The widow Challoner had lost her looks with years, but not her ambition for her children. She is an unpleasant person and suffers in comparison with the aristocrats whom she ’ attempts to browbeat. The result is not very exhilarating for Mrs. Challoner, nor does it make for the happiness of her daughters. The description of her outlook and personality, seems just a trifle overdrawn, though possibly such was necessary to emphasise the unhappy effect of marriage between people of rank. The visit of the Duchess to Mrs. Challoner makes one of the most interesting incidents in the story. It leaves the Duchess breathless but undismayed and quickens' her to action. Mrs. Challoner places no obstacles in the way of Sophia’s acquaintance with Lord Vidal and affects igstacles in the way of Sophia’s acquaintance with Lord Vidal and affects ignorance of its effect upon her daughter’s good name. Sophia’s elder sister Mary has no illusions about the future in store for her-sister if she leaves London in Vidal’s protection, and sets herself to thwart his plans. How she makes the attempt and with what success are the happenings which complete an entrancing story. There is swift action among personalities of engaging or interesting contrast, and surrounding it all "an atmosphere the most refreshing” to quote the Duchess of Avon again. It is a book to be recommended to any friend for light and honest entertainment.

"Everyman’s Wireless” is the name of a new book on wireless by C. L. Bolty, which has been written specially for Australian and New Zealand conditions. It gives a lucid explanation of the principles of present-day wireless reception. Technical terms have been simply dealt with to enable intelligent listeners to understand the principles operating their sets. Price 9s. 6d. Thomas Avery and Sons,. Ltd., booksellers, New Plymouth *