The Bookshelf.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 16, 20 October 1909, Page 44

The Bookshelf.

By

DELTA.

REVIEWS,

A-Reaping : E. F. Benson. (London:' William Heinemann and Co. Auckland: Wildman and Arey. 3/6.) This book, though not a little psychological, is delightful reading, though written for the most part in a minor key. However much we may differ in opinion with Mr. Benson on the many peculiar views he projects, we never fail to be eharmed with the gracious and unobtrusive way he presents them, and could wish him a stronger conviction. “A-Reaping” is divided into twelve parts, each of which is named after the months of the year, and an account is given day by day of the thoughts and doings of three or four lives who are linked together by natural affinities, congenial tastes, and common interests. It may or it may not be autobiographical; if it is not it shows a marvellous insight in the workings of the inner mind. There is no plot, and it is no love chronicle, unless it be a chronicle of wedded and brotherly love. Each paper could be read by itself, yet it forms a continuous record of a year’s life lived wholesomely, usefully, edueatively, artistically, happily and spiritually. The author’s idea seems to have been to show that every physical malady, however great, can be overcome by will power. The author also demonstrates the value of self-discipline, and the supreme importance of a belief in things eternal. In short, Mr. Benson has come into his own again. “A-Reaping” is not everybody’s book. But to those whose minds ars tuned to Mr. Benson’s pitch we can promise both an idealistic, an artistic and a rare psychological treat. Cherub Devine: Sewell Ford. (New York: Mitchell Kennerley. Auckland: Wildman and Arey. doth, 3/6.) A capitally written story, as entertaining as it is wholesome, which is ▼ery high praise indeed. The scene of •the story is laid in that resort of American millionaires —viz., Long Island ■ —where Cherub Devine, self-made man and millionaire, buys a family seat owned by the blue-blooded but now impoverished Hewingtons, and on going to take possession finds that Papa Hewington cannot be made to realise that he ought to vacate the premises in order to allow the new owner to take full possession. How the dieriib, who is a real live man in the very best sense of the term, breaks down all Mr. Hetherington’s prejudices against him as a plebeian and a usurper, and reconciles him to the idea of his not only occupying the Hewington mansion, but accepting him as a son-in-law, is the task Mr. Ford has set himself to fulfil, with brilliant, success. We cannot remember coming across a novel of this writer’s before, but we confess ourselves a warm admirer of Mr. Ford’s ability to write a novel that shall at once be natural, wholesome, virile, and convincing, and at the same time romantic, humorous, and exciting. We hope in the near future to make a further acquaintance with this author’s work, which may be classed as belonging to the best school of American fiction. The Doctor Wife: By Colett Yver. (Hutchinson. 6/-). This, an English translation of a French novel, is a very clever and convincing study of the “new woman” in the marital relationship. Fernand Guemcne, a young doctor, loves the beautiful and brilliant Therese Herlinge, daughter of his chief at the Hotel Dieu Hospital, herself a woman doctor. He asks her to renounce her profession and to marry him. She refuses, though she loves him. He suggests a compromise, that she should study, and not practise. She still refuses. With a love stronger than his principles he gives in, and pleads to marry her, let’ her give him as little of her time as she may. The marriage is not a success. Therese is unwilling to have a child, and, though one comes, she will not nurse it, and’ it dies through the jlltreatment of a etiange nurse. Absorbed in her own studies, she neglects to encourage and frit erest herself in those of Fernand. Giadually she kills his love. Fernand

meets another woman, who gives him the sympathy his nature has craved for. At the last moment Therese realises her mistake, renounces her profession, humbles herself before her rival, and regains the heart of Fernand. As a piece of psychological fiction the tale is admirable, though we hardly think it has settled this question of the marriage of women-d'octors. It is impossible to say in every case what the result of a matrimonial experiment will be, but it is certain that there exist happily married women who can carry on an active intellectual life outside the home. The Invincible Amelia: or, The Polite Adventuress: By Maria Albanesi. (London: Methuen and Co. Auckland: Wildman and Arey. Price, 3/6.) Madame Albanesi has never written anything better than this. Though we haven’t the slightest doubt but that Amelia has been suggested by the immortal Becky, she has a fascination all her own, and we eould not tear ourselves away from a recital of her adventures till we had seen her anchored in fair haven. For the “Invincible Amelia” has more heart than Becky, owing to her less sordid training and environment, though she has just as great a determination to get a footing in society. Amelia Lennox, an orphan of gentle birth, had been lifted from deep poverty to great affluence by a wealthy uncle, and for years had lived en princesse. Then her uncle had died, ami hei aunt, by marriage, had given her a hundred pounds, and had told her to go into the world and earn her living. Amelia’s lover, a briefless barrister, of small means, had offered to marry her, but Amelia had refused, declaring herself tc be full of schemes and ambitions, and that she intended to get the best of everything that life offered. So with her own hundred, and a hundred she borrowed from her sister, who lived as useful companion to another rich relation, Amelia set out to London to seek her fortune. Those who venture forth in search of adventure never fait to find it, and the story of Amelia’s adventures, which were many and varied, will not fail to afford the keenest interest, excitement and amusement to readers. A dozen times fortune is within Amelia’s grasp, and is allowed to slip, by some thought of the briefless barrister. And when at last a wealthy titled suitor pursues her with such relentless ardour as to give her no alternative, but to marry him, she wires to the briefless one, and the story ends with the triumph of heart over head. We strongly recommend readers to invest in this book, as there is not a dull page, or even a superfluous line, in it from

cover to cover. TTiough Amelia’s adventures at times border on the sensational, the line of demarcation beteween tha probable and the improbable is never once crossed, though the temptation to cross it must at times have been well nigh irresistible. Midsummer Madness : Morley Roberts. (London: George Bell and Sons. Auckland: Wildman and Arey. Sloth, 3/6; paper, 2/6.) There is no denying that the title of this book is uncommonly felicitous, while we sincerely hope that Mr. Roberts will soon be himself again. But we greatly fear that the distance he has travelled from coherence in this book of short stories, with one solitary; exception, will prevent a speedy return to the paths of sanity and sweet reasonableness. We also wish we knew the charm he has evidently exercised upon his publishers to induce them to print this record of midsummer madness. For a long time we have been secretly ambitious of some day sitting in ar editorial chair, but, after reading Mr. Roberts’ account of the risks an editor has to run, we have decided to hand over our appointment, when it is made, to the professor, who for a consideration tried, with but indifferent success, to teach us the noble art of self-defence. “Midsummer Madness” is not a book to be read shortly before retiring, nor by those of neurotic habit. But we can strongly recommend it to «those readers who have a penchant for the uncommon, the oceult, and the bizarre. We are indebted to Messrs. Wildman and Arey for our copy of this book.

BOOKSHELF NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Mr. Burgin is to the fore again with a story of love and intrigue, the scene of which is laid in old Stamboul. The plot revolves round the persons of a Turkish Pasha and a beautiful penniless English girl, who is visiting a sexagenarian uncle, who holds a poorly-paid post under the Turkish Government, and is, besides, a confirmed gambler. That the development and the denouement of the plot will be satisfactorily carried through to a successful issue will be taken for granted by Mr. Burgin’s admirers. As is usual with this author, there is a strong undercurrent of humour running through the book which ■ finds expression in the recital of the many doubtful deeds of love and intrigue that are perpetrated through the will, and in the name of Allah. We can strongly recommend this book of Mr. Burgin’s, which is entitled “The Slaves of Allah,” and is published in Hutchinson’s colonial library. The reports as to Mr. Jack London’s illness would seem to be somewhat contradictory. A few weeks ago it was reported that he was lying dangerously ill in a Sydney hospital, suffering from a complication of tropical diseases. Then

Galbraith, the American corresponds** of the “Bookman,” writes to say that he has received a letter from. Mr. London written on board an ocean-going steamer, in which Mr. London, while making no mention of his health, says that he is en route for his own home in California. There would seem to be some foundation for the first report, since the series of short stories that have formed the chief attraction of the “Lady’s Realm” of late ceased about the time the illness was reported. While disliking greatly both the Socialistic views expressed by Mr. London in “The Iron Heel,” and the depressing and, indeed, absolutely unjustifiable ending of “Martin Eden,” we think Mr. London impossible to beat in the short story. We hope the latter conjecture as to the state of Mr. London’s health is the true one, as the writer of force and originality can ill be spared. Mr. A. G. Stephens, whose delightful contributions to the literary pages of the “Auckland Star” find so many admiring readers has collaborated with Mr. Albert Dorrington in the writing of ai novel entitled “ The Lady Calphurnia Royal” (Mills). The death of Rosa Nouchette Carey leaves the world of wholesome fiction the poorer. Miss Carey has been writing stories for youth since 1868, and has altered her methods not one whit during the time that has elapsed since her first book, “Nellie’s Memories,” was published. Though prolific, her work maintained to the last its normal level. To read a book of Miss Carey’s was to put back the clock of time at least three decades. Her atmosphere, her characters, and her environment, were mid-Victorian always. But, without being mawkish or priggish, her young heroes and heroines were models of all wholesome youth should be. Lovers of the late Mrs. Craigie’s work will be interested to hear that a cheap reprint (1/ net) of “Some Emotions and a Moral” and “The Sinner’s Comedy” has been published by Elliot Stock. None of Mrs. Craigie’s later works, it is said, are as significant of the real bent of her genius as the above. This pleasant reprint. with a cover design by Aubrey Beardsley, will be welcomed by all who care for fine workmanship in novel writing and a delicacy of phrase that is more French than English. Mr. Hilaire Belloc has passed the proofs of a monograph on Marie Antoinette that he has written for Messrs. Methuen. The book is to be largely, illustrated, and should reach here early in November.