NEW BOOKS RECEIVED

Taranaki Daily News, 21 October 1933, Page 2 (Supplement)

NEW BOOKS RECEIVED

NOVELS GRAVE AND GAY. COMPTON MACKENZIE’S SATIRE. “Water on the Brain,” by Compton Mackenzie. Cassell & Co., Melbourne, per A. J. Fyfe Ltd., New Plymouth. Those who remember Mr. Compton Mackenzie’s earlier, books will be surprised when they read “Water on the Brain/’ It is a book full of delightful and genial satire in which the “Secret Service” is made fun of in a way one suspects members of the real service will enjoy as much aS outsiders. The book tells of the efforts of Major Arthur Blenkinsop to fill the post of secret service agent. The description of the organisation of “headquarters," an office that is literally swathed in red tape and bursting with self-importance, is a delicious bit of fooling. The Major’s duties take him to Paris where he meets the representative of a stormy State in Southern Europe.. The delegate is charming, the Major is but human, and his Wife is both jealous and suspicious. Major Blenkinsop’s attempts to pose as a businessman interested in bananas, his visit “on duty’* to a Scottish hydro, the happenings'and the people there and the complications added by his wife’s espionage of the Major himself make a story that is full Of humour and thoroughly enjoyable to read. “Death Whispers,” by Joseph B. Carr. Cassell & Co., London and Melbourne, per A. J. Fyfe Ltd.,. New Plymouth.

A very different style of story Is “Death Whispers,” as the title would seem to indicate. But anyone who likes “a good murder mystery” will enjoy this volume. . '

Roderick Myncheon, financial magnate, and a ruthless fighter" fit the World of stocks and bonds, is murdered at his country house near Boston, U.S.A, With a history of piratical forebears, a house that is full enough of secret passages, ancient pictures and family plate to house any ancestral ghost, the unravelling of the crime brings thrill upon thrill for the reader. ■ ■ • ■ ’ ’

Oceola Archer, private detective, and his diminutive assistant Bagshott track down the murderer, but not before-many others have been suspected and more than One have narrowly escaped the fate that overtook Roderick. The secret is Well kept and the book Will appeal to all who like clever “detective” fiction. "Country Party,!* by Viola Castanff. Cassell & Co. Ltd., London and Melbourne, per A. J. Fyfe Ltd., New Plytnouth.

“Country Party” is the account of the struggles of the daughter of a barber who had made money to enter “county” society in England. Her efforts centre round a garden patty Where Paula Maynard hoped by the attendance of her aristocratic acquaintances to separate herself and her family from all plebeian atmosphere. She succeeds, but not before much happens. The love story of two of the young people whom Paula’s mother likes and she abhors because they laugh at her pretensions is prettily told, and though tragedy has its part in the story it makes an enjoyable piece of light reading. "The Ploughman’s Progress," by Sheila Kaye-Smith. Cassell & Co., London Bild Melbourne, pet A. J; Fyfe Ltd., New Plymouth.

If “Ploughman’s Progress” is a bit didactic at times it is a very careful and sympathetic study of rural England in the post-war depression. The author s gift of taking the reader into the company of the common people of a Sussex village,- the impoverished squire, the farmers, the farm labourers and the womenkind of them all is Very pleasantly used. The “hero” of the book is Fred Sinden, a ploughman who loves his wdrk but who is forced by circumstances to .leave it and become a caravan dweller, with hawking, begging and occasional patches of hard work to make up his life. The effect of hard times in agricultural England is shown as it affects the life, of a whole village. The reactions to the conditions it brings about are very subtly worked out in the lives of the people themselves. Fred. Sinden, in the eyes of his friend the squire, a man who loves land for- the land’s sake, loses caste and self respect because he prefers in the end his wandering life to a return .to steady employment aS the ploughman he once was. The book is quite modern, and in parts extremely plain-spoken. The author tees her characters as men and women with their failings just, or often more, apparent than their courage and their kindliness. It is not a cheering story, but is well Written, vigorous and full of interest especially for those who have had any acquaintance with rural England.