BOOK NOTICES

New Zealand Tablet, 26 June 1919, Page 29

BOOK NOTICES

Midas and Son,. by , Stephen McKenna. —Methuen& Co ' London. (Bs. net.) "'""' "'■'"\ oolrlfiD ;}eijfi^'i The name of Stephen McKenna is a pro'mise of a well-written 1 novel and .an interesting story. 'ln Sonia he gave us the best novel of the war, ; and in this new book we find many of the people we met in Soma once more. Midas and Son is a powerful novel. The characters of - the- old millionaire,- wrecked in health as a result of his fight for gold and power, and of his highly-strung, obstinate heir "are.- drawn to life. Yolande is a picture of what is. best in the modern girlfrank, independent, clear-eyed, and pure amid the rottenness of society around her. \ The story of the old man's efforts to mould his son's career, and of the son's determination not to be moulded, is "pathetic; The book is sombre with the shadow -of, the accursed gold that brings to the father happiness in old age and leaves the son drifting aimlessly to the final tragedy. While we do not find the novel as interesting as Sonia, there is no denying that it is a work/ of distinction which will add to the author's reputation. ~'...-■

{Various Discourses, by the Rev. T. J. Campbell,:S.J.—I From Linehan, Melbourne. (125.) n ~ rj -pxia ,-ts" (ii.&9' J ._ In this volume we have a collection" of discourses'' ranging.over' a period of 35 years, delivered platform and from pulpit, and dealing with historical,' ecclesiastical, and educational topics. .' It is not a volume of sermons. The discourses' deal with persons "and,"things» mainly, and' from a Catholic point of view. b We have here useful papers on problems of the day, occasional■ pronouncements and addresses on \ special occa- ■ sions, criticisms on actual topics of interest ,to Catholics,. and glimpses into the history of the progress of the Church in the United States. The addresses oh Marriage, Jesuit Education, The Higher; Education of Women, Socialism, Leo XIII. are extremely interesting. The book is one that deserves a place in a priest's library. Publications Received.—From the Australian C.T.S.: A Profiteer and Other Stories; Historical, History: A Criticism, by /Brother !Purton,':M.A.; Drink and Democracy, by Father Lockington< S.J.