'INNISFAIL'

New Zealand Tablet, 15 October 1908, Page 33

' INNISFAIL'

The drawing nigh of the time when our Catholic schools will be holding their annual distribution of prizes prior to the Christmas holidays reminds us of the difficulty often experienced by the principals of such schools in selecting suitable books for presentation.'' No more suitable prize book could be placed in the hands of young people than the Rev. Father IJickey's' Innisfail; or, Distant Days in Tipperary. This is a simple, natural story, fold with much force and dramatic power, containing a good deal of instructive matter of a high moral tone, and of high literary merit throughout. When we say that it is a natural story we do not mean to say that it is without thrilling incidents, which cannot fail to rivet the attention of the reader. The Dublin Freeman's Journal, in its review of the book, says : 4 The characters arc all drawn and presented with a sense of realism that ensures .them a warm corner in the reader's heart. The author deals' all through with the living realities, with the struggles and the trials of life. Incidentally, he paints the evils of landlordism and tyranny, and of eviction and immigration, in forcible and striking colors. In a word, the author is a man who knows Irish life and, in his distant home in Australia, daily surrounded himself with its hallowed memories The book is remarkable, perhaps as much for its promise for the future as for its own intrinsic merit. In it Father Hickey lays the foundation stone of a literary fame and reputation, and it is to be hoped that Innisfail is but an earnest of what is to come.' His Lordship Dr. Gallagher, Bishop of Goulburn, says: ' I could and will recommend it as a fine type" of prize book for our schools, primary and select, throughout the diocese. Innisfail is a really good book, and has come to stay.' The work will be supplied to Catholic Colleges, Convents, and schools throughout Australia for 3s 6d per copy, post free, by the Rev. Father Hickey, Corowa, New South Wales.