“THE LITTLE COUNTRY.”

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19662, 23 August 1935, Page 9

“THE LITTLE COUNTRY.”

(To the Editor-) Sir, —I was interested to read “D.B.P.’s” letter in to-day’s Waikato Times, with his more detailed comments on Air Guthrie’s book. I accept unreservedly his view that he is .entitled to his opinion and I to mineAly purpose in writing was not to prove “D-8.P.” wrong in his views by quoting British reviewers against him, but to suggest by my quotations that there was another side to the matter. “D.B.P.’s” review was so unreliovedly unfavourable that, in my own opinion, it was unfair to the book. And I hardly think anyone would deny that when one reviewer out of, say, a dozen, in New Zealand, had expressed views contrary to those of the other eleven, the presumption does arise that the twelfth man is perhaps not entirely right in his appraisement. When in addition a number of leading British journals have reviews that conflict with the twelfth man’s that presumption is somewhat strengthened- It does not follow, of course, that the twelfth man is necessarily wrong, but it does follow that a prospective reader should not accept his viewpoint without question. I still think that “D-BJP.’s” review was illbalanced, but the decision as to which of us- is the more joist in his appreciation 'Of the book lies with its readers. “D.8.P." is not correot in saying that 1 pay exaggerated deference to reviewers (excepting himself). As already indicated, my quotations were aimed only to raise the presumption that there was another side to the matter. I am aware of the present controversy as to the status of literary reviewing at Home, and have read, inter alia, an article by Mr Frank Swinnerton on the matter in the last copy of “The Bookseller” to reach me from London, which may be the article from which "D.8.P." quotes. I agree with “D-8.P.” that our novelists would be ill served if they were heaped with indiscriminate praise. But the majority of the New Zealand reviews have certainly not been indiscriminate in praising "The Little Country.” The majority have commented at some length on various weaknesses in the book. Where they have differed from “D-8.P.” has been in saying that, on the whole, the book is a notable achievement and a worthy addition to our New Zealand novels. I hardly think our reviewers are likely to foster a nationalistic conceit or to he fearful of “crushing a tender flower” of literary effort. Rut I still think that "D.B.P.’s" review of “The Little Country” was something like burying a flower under a ton of bricks. I thank “D.B.P-” for his reply, hut we shall, of course, agree 'to differ. — I am, etc., RALPH H. WARD. Taupo, August 21, 1935.