BOOK NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 200, 24 July 1937, Page 7

BOOK NOTES

“LEISURE FOR LIVING.”

Through the first seven books from her facile pen discerning New Zealand readers have come to hold tho works of Miss Nelle M. Scanlan in very high estimation, for they have constituted a unique contribution to the literary life of the Dominion. We have been contented in the realisation that, though never circumscribed, they have breathed an atmosphere essentially our own. Palmerstonians who knew Miss Scanlan during her residence here have a special interest in her writings. To such a reading public her latest book, “Leisure For Living,” will come as a delightful acquisition. Published only last month by Messrs Robert Hale and Coy., London, from whom our copy has come, it is indeed a splendidly conceived and excellently written story, proving that Miss Scanlan’s flair for character delineation and aptitude for dcsoriptiveness . have acquired added lustre. From this point of view alone it is a sheer delight to read “Leisure For Living,” with its pen pictures of Wellington, the portrayal of shipboard life, and the experienced description of London’s sunshine and fog. One feels grateful to Miss Scanlan for scorning the tantalising vogue of disguising place names—there is enjoyment in being transported to the scene without the exhaustion of interpretation. The story captures the reader till it ends on a delightfully characteristic note. It is centred around an English family in New Zealand, a mother and her two adult sons and two daughters, with her philosophising, self- opinionated, largely impractical brother. An unusual plot enables the writer to delineate their characters in storm and calm in a most fascinating manner. They are not “impossible” persons, but the detail with which their idiosynoracies are woven ito shrewd humour and rich drama is unique. The egotistical selfdelusion of Uncle Mortimer, who forms the family into, a company that he might satisfy his ambition for chairmanship of a board of directors, and is ultimately tragically tricked at his own game, comprises the fulcrum on which the tale balances. It abounds in delightful touches. “Leisure For Living” is a purposeful composition with an attraction beyond its immediate appeal. For those who have not yet enjoyed the charm, of Miss Scanlan’s earlier works it affords a delightful introduction to be heartily recommended. ■ .

“DIGEST DF WORLD READING.”

“Digest of World Raading,” a 100pag© monthly magazine comprising book digests and interesting articles on a variety of subjects, is a worth-while addition to the ranks of Australian publications. Published without illustrations and without advertisements, this one-shilling monthly represents a new departure'for Australia, although magazines on Similar lines are produced overseas. In the July issue, which is just to hand, Peter Fleming contributes “Journey to Samarkand,” the tale of a. conventional journey amongst unconventional people to this glamorous but remote outpost of Soviet Russia. Amongst other interesting articles in tho first issue are “Englishmen Like to Get Away From Women,” by Rosita Forbes; “Queer London,” by Peter Fenn; “The Food of Old England.” by C. R. Bradish: “—And On Earth Peace” by H. L. Mencken; “Beneath the Alcazar,” an incident in the Spanish wa.r, translated from the French; e.nd “Buffalo 1” by A. B. Haines, .'the etory of the unusual Northern Territory industry of hunting buffalo for their hides. “Comic Opera and Gotterdamerung.” by G. B. Lancaster, wellknown as the author of “Pageant.” is another feature article. Bright and entertainingly written, this article retells the history of New Zealand. ’ HUNT THE SLIPPER. It is not until one has proceeded a fair distance in this book, “Hunt the Slipper,” that one realises how competent a writer Miss Violet Trefusis really is. Steering clear of all overemphasis, achieving her effects by very delicate and subtle means, she has composed a story of the love between a sensitive, artistic egotist of fifty and a young married woman of twenty-five •which, of its type—one not much handled by post-war novelists —is a most satisfying and capable piece of work. Nigel Benson is an Englishman of independent means and cultured tastes. All his life a favourite with women, at fifty, conscious that his romantic youth is a thing of the past, and shrinking away from any possibility of being ridiculed, he confines himself, so far as the other sex is concerned, to light flirtations. At least.' he does so until circumstances throw into his arms Caroline Crome, young wife of Nigel’s friend, the cold Sir Anthony Crome. The second part of the book is really the study of Nigel in love, suffering torture under Caroline’s early indifference, and then soaring to the heights when she not only surrenders, but returns his passion with most flattering ardour. Unalloyed happiness, however, does not continue for long. Doubts regarding the difference in age between himself and Caroline begin to gnaw at Nigel. Jealousy enters into the relationship between the two; Nigel undergoing agonies whenever a younger man approaches his love. To bring this wellbandied story to a conclusion, “V s ® Trefusis has introduced a.climax which is most unexpected and .fitting. Ihe element of surprise is-let loose right on the last page; ;an excellent ending to a very artistically conceived and executed novel.

SHORT STORIES. Readers - of short stories, especially women, will enjoy Elizabeth Goudge’s new volume, “A Pedlar’s Pack.” The publishers 6tate that none of the stories have previously appeared in book form. They are completely free of the unhealthy suggestion of precociousness which mare so many, modern English short'stories, and it is of interest to note that the author obtains all her effects by the simplest possible means, confining hferself, although her vocabulary is by no means limited, to a direct, unaffected mode of expression. Her knowledge of children is intimate, and bucli stories as “Doing Good,” “Rescue on the Island” and the “Roman Road,” should appeal to all lovers of the young. Three tales are set against a diannel Island background. • The study of a middle-aged spinster in the first story. “A Shepherd and Shepherdess,”, is one of the least original in the collection, but even in handling a well-worn theme Miss Goudge manages to hojd the attention. The other-world' atmosphere of A Pedlar’s Park” and “At the Sign of the Cat and Fiddle” gams considerably bv reason of the effortless simphcity of etvle and, as contrast, there is the true-to-1 ife story about Jane Austen’s girlhood. All those who seek relaxation, amusement and. an .^cas.on a venture into the fantastic will appreciate Miss Goudge’s volume.

The French 2500-ton naval oil snnnlv ship Nievre was abandoned hr its crew P of 60 after foundering cm * reef off Loch Point, near Brest, in a violent storm recently..