BOOK REVIEW

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 67, 20 March 1942, Page 6

BOOK REVIEW

“BABBACOMBES,” by Susan Scar- ' left (Hodder and Stoughton). This story is in the way of a literary re- ’ volt. It reveals the undrabness of suburban life: not amongst people in ' comfortable circumstances, but among ; those who never know what it is to be ’ free from the pressure of respectable want. When Mr. Carson, of the hardware department of Babbacombe’s witnessed his daughter’s final breakup at her school, which would be poorer next term for her not being there, he was aware that for himself and for her a new chapter was opene ing. It did, with a niece cast as the - evil genius who, with daughter Beth, 1 also joined the staff of Babbacombe’s. - Mrs. Carson stayed at home and kept n the home fires burning year by year, and despite the inability of the fur 13 coat fund to purchase that, much-de- £ sired article, she was ever bright and helpful. Beth follows in the family ! tradition and it is so good a tradition j that David Bababcombe, the anpar2 ently s- >oiled son of the head of the 7 firm, despite Eton Oxford and an •’ aristocratic mother, goes into the I “cooked meats" department and r learns much about business and human nature from that angle. Romantic events appropriately ring down the curtain, which events are assisted by some helpful “direct action" from Mrs. Carson when it was needed. A delightful story of heroic lives lived in prosaic surroundings, for which the author is to be congratulated. “A. G. STEPHENS: HIS LU'E & WORK,' by Vane Palmer (Robertson - and Mullens). As “The Bookman,” Stenhens made the Red Page of the . Bulletin an outstanding feature in s world journalism. Starting life with s printers’ ink in his nostrils, working on a small Australain paper in a coun--1 try town. Stephens learned of life and ? must have read prodigously at the same time. He could hit off a situation in a phrase, one of which has remained in this reviewer’s memory | for thirty years. After giving the plot of a particularly hectic Strundberg nlav he closed the paragraph with: "What an arcadian place Australia must be.” which was the most effective way of saying that Strundberg ; was over-morbid. Included in the , volume are over 200 pages of critiI cism and comment upon fourteen Australian writers, upon thirty Aus- . tralian books, nine on Art and the , Theatre, nine pen-portraits on great : Australians and others, with eight i miscellaneous items under the headi ing “Dragnet." Red Page devotees of ? yesteryear wiV welcome this book like a letter from home, and the younger generation will thank the Commonwealth Literary Fund for providing them with an introduction to one man ■ who did much to fashion Australia’s present literary standards.