The Bookman's Corner

Ladies' Mirror, Volume V, Issue 6, 1 December 1926, Page 55

The Bookman's Corner

Seeing New Zealand As an ■ outstanding New Zealand writer, Mr. James Cowan is too well known to need introduction to our readers. His latest arc two delightful volumes entitled “Travel in New Zealand.” Volume One describes the North Island, and. Volume Two deals with the South and Stewart Islands. Mr. Cowan has an extensive knowledge of our land and is one of the few pakehas who is deeply versed in native lore, and he is probably' the best fitted individual to write understandingly on New Zealand’s manifold attractions. The books are primarily intended as a complete guide for overseas tourists and settlers. They are, however, so delightfully written, and so informative, that all true New Zealanders should possess them. In an introductory chapter the author gives a brief historical survey and an outline of sport in New Zealand. He stresses the attractions of the far north deep sea fishing areas. Starting from Auckland, the reader is taken first to the Northern Peninsula, and then to the goldfields, Rotorua, the National Park, and so on, visiting evenplace of importance from the sightseer’s point of view. Mr. Cowan is familiar with the out-of-the-way places, and many of the trips he describes arc quite new and well worth making. Interwoven into the narrative are interesting historical side lights, and much of Maori folklore peeps out. A very' valuable feature is the author’s translations of native place names and their meanings. In the second volume full justice is done the glory of our Southern Snow Kings and the infinite charm of lovely' Lakeland. Stewart Island is also adequately described. “See your own land first” is an excellent slogan, but before setting out to see it, the perusal of one or both of these travel books will add immeasurably not only' to your knowledge of the land you live in. but also to the enjoyment and profit you will derive from your journeying. Both books are admirably illustrated, and there arc some hundreds of excellently reproduced pictures, and also a number of good mans. Our copy through the publishers, Whitcombe & Tombs. Ltd. n 'yhat great traveller, J. H. Curie, has given us a new book, not one of travel this time, but one of philosophy. In “Today and Tomorrow.” with a subtitle “The Testing Period of the White Race,” Mr. Curie compresses his years of observation of mankind in all climes, and from out of his experiences he philosophies on the fitness of the white race to continue as the dominant type. In the natural world the author, while not denying a plan in creation, sees only ceasless and senseless strife. Millions of creatures are born only to be almost immediately destroyed. Even mankind seems to be infected with this propensity of nature. We breed fine men and send them out to be killed on the battlefields and the unfit survive and persist lower-

ing the standard of the white stock. Mr. Curie sees danger in the East. The negroid type he dismisses as a negligible quantity, a race that is an anachronism, a type that has been forgotten by evolution. In the coming struggle for world’s supremacy his fear is of the yellow peoples. 1 The Japanese are already awake, but what of China when she stirs from her age-long sleep? The book is a remarkable survey of the world’s peoples and is very finely' written. It is clear and concise in reasoning and is certainly a volume provocative of thought. § Celclom has a first novel created such an impression as has a first effort by Helen Bcauclerk. The book is entitled “The Green Lacquer Pavilion.” It is not exactly a novel, but is more in the nature of a phantasy—a fairy tale for grownups. The period is the latter part of the eighteenth century. The guests in an English country house arc gathered together in the draw-ing-room, when, by some magical process, they are suddenly transported to an Eastern garden, in which the outstanding feature is a green lacquer pavilion. From then on many wonderful things happen to these bewildered people; They are captured by pirates; some are held as slaves; some find themselves marooned on an island in the Indian Ocean, one finds himself in the court of far Cathay, but in the end all are taken back to the garden of the green lacquer pavilion, and thence find themselves back again in the drawingroom. The charm of this impossible, though delightful, story rests not so much in the adventures of the house party guests as in the brilliant and poetical phraseology in which the author clothes her story. The book has met with a great reception by English critics, and it is predicted that it may yet take its place as a classic in our literature. (Collins). n Tt/Tr. H. G. Wells’ new novel, “The World of William Clissold,” has created a great stir in England. It is remarkable, inasmuch as the author introduces a number of outstanding present-day personalities under their own names. Mr. Wells, through the mouth of William Clissold, is scathing in his criticisms. Prominent politicians, dignitaries of the church, and famous people in the world of science are all mercilessly dealt with. We may take it that this book represents Wells’ matured conclusions, and his opinions on the world and the trend of present-day affairs. ; He also essays a prophetic peep at i the future. The novel is divided into . six books, and is being published in three volumes, two books in each 1 volume. ; While on the subject of Wells, t we note that Collins .Bros, are I shortly reprinting most of his earlier works in a neat, thin paper,

autograph pocket edition. <1 Jn a world which is producing so many ultra-modern novels, it is refreshing to pick up and read "The Proper Place,” a new book by O. Douglas. The author, Lady Douglas, is a sister of John Buchan, and is the writer of those remarkably successful novels, "Penny Plain,” “Pink Sugar,” "The Setons,” and others. “The Proper Place” is a story of the New Poor and the New Rich. Lady Jane Rutherford and her daughter, Nicole, have to sell their beautiful home in the Borders to Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, of Glasgow, and go to a fishing village in the East Neuk of Fife. The story tells of their experiences in their new life, and of Mrs. Jackson’s struggles to live up to her position. Kindly, talkative Mrs. Jackson is a most engaging figure, and, indeed, all the characters are living, breathing people, such as O. Douglas so well knows how to draw. There is humour in the book, and pathos, as well as a sound philosophy. (Rodders L n * <r 'Phe Master of Mystery” is an apt title for Mr. William Le Quex. He has written dozens of mystery stories in his own inimitable way, and here is another, “The Letter E.” Screaming melodramatically : “You! You! How 1 hate and detest you,” a woman reels against Ralph Remington as he is comingout of a night club, and suddenly Ralph is in the toils of a double mystery. Thus is the reader launched into a story as entrancingly baffling as any Le Quex has ever written. The story revolves round the person of Lady Erica Thurston, who, Ralph discovers, is held in some inexplicable and horrible bondage by a gang of murderous thieves. That Ralph learns to love Erica, and that their story is full of breathless episodes goes without saying. (Cassell). 41 ftfl’r. John Buchan's new novel, “The Dancing Floor.” deals with modern English life. It is told by Sir Edward Leithcn, who was one of the chief characters in “John Macnab." It is the tale on the one hand of a young Englishman who is haunted all his life by a dream, and on the other of a girl, the heiress to a Greek island, who, out of a quixotic sense of honour, faces alone a great peril. In the final scenes the destinies of the two are intertwined in a notable test of courage. The book is at once a love story', a story of adventure, and a study of modern youth. (Hodder & Stoughton . n Collins Bros, have added four excellent novels to their cheap Colonial Library. “Over the Border,” by H. Whitaker, is an excellent Western story; “The Depths

of Prosperity,” a remarkable society story by, Phyllis Bottome; “The Black Diamond,” by F. Brett Young, a powerful novel of life in sordid surroundings, through which, however, shines the gleam of gold, and “Birthright,” by T. S. Stribling. the story of a young negro’s triumph in his struggle for an education and the recognition of his right to a place in the sun. All four are most readable books. • J_Jere is the introduction to “A J_Jere is the introduction to “A Ten Round Contest,” a book by Ronald Campbell. a new writer : “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, your kind attention, please! This ten-round contest is no world’s championship, but I can promise you a genuine clash, hard punching, and every round fought to the gong. I won’t delay you, but ask the timekeeper to commence the contest, and may the best man win. “Seconds out of the ring first —time!” It is a collection of boxing stories, and everyone a little masterpiece of its kind. If an admirer of the fistic art. you should read this book.