FROM.... BOOKSTALL & STUDY

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 694, 22 February 1933, Page 5

FROM.... BOOKSTALL & STUDY

“ Susila,” by Ruby Brindley. Published by Angus and Robertson, SydThe story of Susila, a Bengali village girl, is an exceedingly fine picture of the heart of India, drawn with rare skill and showing most convincing colour. One cannot read this story without giving thought to some of the great problems of India to-day and without appreciation of the missionary work which means so much to the many thousands, of whom Susila may be taken as typical, although, no doubt, an infinitely more interesting personality than the average of her type. The death is announced of Dame Elizabeth Wordsworth, who was a grand-niece of the poet. She was the first principal of Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. She was in her 93rd year. jj j.; j.j In the new version of Mr Hugh Walpole’s play “ The Cathedral,” it is reportecl, “ the Archdeacon’s wife no longer elopes with one of the local clergy; he has become a solicitor.” There is good precedent for the emendation, for in the first draft of “ Patrina ” Bunthorne was a curate (followin gthe “Bab Ballad” original), and the change was made to avoid offending the susceptibilities of Church people. Mr Walpole’s father was the Bishop of Edinburgh. Lieutenant-Commander J. M. Kenworthv expressed the opinion in proposing the toast of “ Literature and Art ” at the Readers’ Pensions Committee annual dinner in London, that the three best writers of English prose were Mr George Moore, Mr George Bernard Shaw and Mr Winston Churchill. Some of the best English to-day. added Commander Kenworthy, was to be found in the leading articles of the British newspapers.

“ Bucket in a Well,” by Hilda Willett. Published by Stanley Paul and Co., Ltd. Copv from Whitcombe and Tombs, Ltd. Chaucer's words, “ Now up, now down, as boket in a welle,” provide an excellent description of the fortunes of the Stoke-Ferringtons, a young couple who, in spite of sesquipedalian and hyphenated surname, are very likeable indeed. They are also devoted, and when times are really bad accept domestic service together to prevent being separated. They discover an impudent plot to relieve their second employer of considerable money by fraudulent misrepresentation regarding oil shares. The unscrupulous methods of the tricksters are almost successful when a dramatic climax is staged. This brightly written story will be appreciated for its excellent characters and romantic plot, while the introduction of amusing incident and humorous dialogue further contributes to the reader’s enjoyment. Dr A. J. Cronin, the London physician, whose fine novel, “ Hatter’s Castle,” brought him fame, speaking at the ladies’ night of the Press Club, London, said that he was convinced that a twelve-month study of any newspaper could be made to form the most marvellous book ever written. “ All the human stories of joy and disaster are there,” he said, “ the things that make up the lives of the people who are ourselves or our neighbours. I do not think a newspaper succeeds because of its politics, but because it tells the average man the things that interest him.” Dr Cronin added that he was glad to acknowledge his personal indebtedness to the Press. He was never more amazed in his life than when he was changed by its agency from an obscure general practitioner working in a London suburb to a novelist whose first novel —to his amazement —continued to sell.

“The Isle of Men,” by Gordon Volk. Published by Skeffington and Son.— I,td. Copy from Whitcombe and Tombs, Ltd. Gordon Volk almost invariably introduces the tang of the sea into his stories. This time the setting is on a sub-tropical island well off the beaten track and impossible of access except, to those who know the tricks of a giant whirlpool guarding a secret cave. Here the survivors of a ship, carrying colonists to Australia in the early days, were cast by the freaks of fortune. These people decided to build the nucleus, oi a great and new race, not by floating with the current of progress, but by swimming against it—by going backward—back to Mother Nature. A few generations resulted in the production of magnificent men and superb women. Chance brings Malcolm Rawson into this strange community, where he finds that a naval deserter is acting the part of the serpent in this modern Eden. Brogden, in a few weeks, has committed more crimes and stirred up more strife than the island has known since its first habitation. With the Islanders divided against themselves, Rawson throws in his weight to preserve the old order, and finds more thrills, excitement, danger and romance than he had ever dreamed to be possible. Swift action, thrilling plot and counterplot and romantic setting are features of this highly imaginative story. The origin of the term “ doch an’ dorroch'' has been discussed in “ Notes and Queries,” London. Mr Edward Benslev writes on the subject thus:—The words do not apply to a kind of ale, but to the way in which it is drunk ; a parting cup taken standing. The phrase is familiar to readers of Scott. In Letter ii. of “ Redgauntlet,” Alan Fairford’s father says, in an argument with his son:—lt was decided in a case before the town bailies of Cupar-Angus, when Luckie Simpson’s cow had drunk up Luckie Jamieson’s browst of ale, while it stood in the door to cool, that there was no damage to pay, because the crummie drank without sitting down; such being the very circumstance constituting doch an’ dorrooh, which is a standing drink, for which no reckoning is paid.