| 24March 16, 1924 SUNDAY WORLD HERALD_MAGAZINE SECTION Thirteen
AMONG the NEW BOOKS
By Margaret H. Doorly
OF ESPECIAL interest to Nebraska readers is a volume of one-act plays by Elia W. Peattie, published by the Charles H. Sergel & Co., Chicago. The collection is entitled, "The Wander Weed and Seven Other Little Theater Plays," and each one of the sketches is excellent reading, as well as being of fine dramatic quality. Mrs. Peattie's work is well known to most of us, who still feel that she belongs at least in part to Nebraska, but the fineness and delicacy of her feeling has never been more apparent than in this, her latest, publication.
While a very delightful imagination colors her plays, and they are relieved by occasional touches of comedy or satire, tragedy is the under current of most of them. Even the most tragic theme, however, has an uplift in the ending the author showing in every case that sorrow
{Image} Elia W. Peattie.
may have a kind of beauty. "The Wander Weed" is the most imaginative and poetic of the present collection; "The Great Delusion," and "Pity" are particularly impressive; "Sunrise" and "The Silver Bell Tree" have each a pretty sentiment; "Family Reunion" and Spring Cleaning" are written in a delightful mood of satire. Mrs. Peattie never sacrifices her sense of the dramatic, and the necessary elements of conflict are always present in her plays. Her people, no matter how whimsical her theme, are vitally real, many of the characters being drawn from the southern mountain folk whom the author knows so well. The dialogue is natural and well suited to stage production, the stage settings simple, with a particularly effective plan for the dramatic "Pity."
NOWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD- By Jay William Hudson (D. Appleton Co.)
Mr. Hudson takes both sides in a debate on the merits of Chicago in his latest novel, its unpleasant features being emphasized by the hero in the first part of the book, its brighter in the latter portion. Stephen Kent, the central figure of the tale, is shown passing through a difficult period of adjustment. His great desire, to become a writer, is not encouraged by his father, who leaves him the unpleasant alternative of supporting himself in his chosen career in Paris, the city of his fancy, or coming home to settle down like a good boy and go into the family business. Kent finds a middle path, however, but to tell where it leads him would be to steal some of the author's ammunition. The story holds the interest although it never attains any great amount of distinction. The theme is well worn, but the study of Kent's psychology is sound. The romance is sufficiently satisfying, and almost too logical and inevitable. On the whole the story does very well as a contribution to light fiction.
SIEGE- By Samuel Hopkings Adams (Boni & Liveright.)
By far the best novel of Mr. Adams that has as yet appeared, in our opinion, this story, although the scene is laid in a factory town, is vastly different from the traditional tales of its kind. The conflict is between different generations as represented in the persons of two women, one old and accustomed to dominate, the other young, but already insistent upon power. In Fredericka the author has drawn a fairer picture of modern youth than is usually found in fiction, and the sympathies of the reader follow her eagerly in her clashes with the great-aunt, Augusta, the head of the Ruyland clan. The questions of capital and labor which arise in the tale are only supplementary to the conflict between the women. The characterizations of the numerous members of the Ruyland family are excellent and distinct, and that of Norval the "Grampian" is an artistic and tragic triumph. It is a pity that Kenneth Ruyland could not have appeared to better advantage, as we were rather led at the beginning to suspect him of possessing more backbone than finally proves to be the case, but at least the climax of the tale is saved- partly through his defection- from any lack of originality. It may not please the strict moralists, but this all depends upon what is considered morality- Aunt Augusta's brand, or Fredericka's, that of the old generation or of the new. One thing at least is certain, there is not a dull moment in the story.
MINCE COLLOP CLOSE- By George Blake (Robert McBride Co.)
There is a great individual charm in these tales of the slum section of Glasgow, and of the "queen" of a criminal band. Bella MacFayden is a character full of interest and appeal, her faults by no means glossed over by the author, but appearing somewhat glorious in spite of them. Each story is complete in itself, yet all hang together, giving the whole the appearance of a novel. Each one is in itself an artistic achievement, and the book is absorbing in interest and thoroughly delightful from the point of view of style. There is not enough of the Scotch dialect to make the reading of the tales difficult, but sufficient to give them a decided charm. Atmosphere, action and characterization, as well as plot, help to make the stories of Bella MacFayden's career of absorbing interest. In spite of the sympathy created for this central figure the ending is eminently satisfactory from every point of view and leaves a hope that some day we may hear of Bella's further exploits, unless they are no longer of the old picturesque variety.
THE SAFETY PIN- By J. S. Fletcher (G. P. Putnam's Sons.)
It is very hard indeed to know heroes from villains in Mr. Fletcher's latest mystery story, and the reader is very successfully kept in the dark as to the outcome until the proper moment for the denouement. Yet he is given a fair opportunity to do his own detective work, and has a chance offered him, of which he is unlikely to avail himself, to guess at the solution. Certainly "The Safety Pin" is one of Fletcher's best. There is a romance woven in the story, but one which comes as a decided surprise to the reader. It impresses us as a romance decidedly more like fact than fiction. The style of writing of the story is what we have learned to look for from this author, delightfully smooth and easy, showing at times a whimsical humor, holding the interest tense through the varied and exciting action, and painting the way very satisfactory word pictures in rural England. Altogether a tale no lover of mysteries will wish to miss.
BROOD OF THE WITCH QUEEN-By Sax Rohmer (Doubleday, Page & Co.) The theme for this tale of horror has been suggested by the idea of the curse of the Pharaohs. Its tragedy is brought about by dealing with the black arts, yet fantastic though the idea is, the story is presented in a fairly plausible manner which will win for its characters | 24March 16, 1924 SUNDAY WORLD HERALD_MAGAZINE SECTION Thirteen
AMONG the NEW BOOKS
By Margaret H. Doorly
OF ESPECIAL interest to Nebraska readers is a volume of one-act plays by Elia W. Peattie, published by the Charles H. Sergel & Co., Chicago. The collection is entitled, "The Wander Weed and Seven Other Little Theater Plays," and each one of the sketches is excellent reading, as well as being of fine dramatic quality. Mrs. Peattie's work is well known to most of us, who still feel that she belongs at least in part to Nebraska, but the fineness and delicacy of her feeling has never been more apparent than in this, her latest, publication.
While a very delightful imagination colors her plays, and they are relieved by occasional touches of comedy or satire, tragedy is the under current of most of them. Even the most tragic theme, however, has an uplift in the ending the author showing in every case that sorrow
{Image} Elia W. Peattie.
may have a kind of beauty. "The Wander Weed" is the most imaginative and poetic of the present collection; "The Great Delusion," and "Pity" are particularly impressive; "Sunrise" and "The Silver Bell Tree" have each a pretty sentiment; "Family Reunion" and Spring Cleaning" are written in a delightful mood of satire. Mrs. Peattie never sacrifices her sense of the dramatic, and the necessary elements of conflict are always present in her plays. Her people, no matter how whimsical her theme, are vitally real, many of the characters being drawn from the southern mountain folk whom the author knows so well. The dialogue is natural and well suited to stage production, the stage settings simple, with a particularly effective plan for the dramatic "Pity."
NOWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD- By Jay William Hudson (D. Appleton Co.)
Mr. Hudson takes both sides in a debate on the merits of Chicago in his latest novel, its unpleasant features being emphasized by the hero in the first part of the book, its brighter in the latter portion. Stephen Kent, the central figure of the tale, is shown passing through a difficult period of adjustment. His great desire, to become a writer, is not encouraged by his father, who leaves him the unpleasant alternative of supporting himself in his chosen career in Paris, the city of his fancy, or coming home to settle down like a good boy and go into the family business. Kent finds a middle path, however, but to tell where it leads him would be to steal some of the author's ammunition. The story holds the interest although it never attains any great amount of distinction. The theme is well worn, but the study of Kent's psychology is sound. The romance is sufficiently satisfying, and almost too logical and inevitable. On the whole the story does very well as a contribution to light fiction.
SIEGE- By Samuel Hopkings Adams (Boni & Liveright.)
By far the best novel of Mr. Adams that has as yet appeared, in our opinion, this story, although the scene is laid in a factory town, is vastly different from the traditional tales of its kind. The conflict is between different generations as represented in the persons of two women, one old and accustomed to dominate, the other young, but already insistent upon power. In Fredericka the author has drawn a fairer picture of modern youth than is usually found in fiction, and the sympathies of the reader follow her eagerly in her clashes with the great-aunt, Augusta, the head of the Ruyland clan. The questions of capital and labor which arise in the tale are only supplementary to the conflict between the women. The characterizations of the numerous members of the Ruyland family are excellent and distinct, and that of Norval the "Grampian" is an artistic and tragic triumph. It is a pity that Kenneth Ruyland could not have appeared to better advantage, as we were rather led at the beginning to suspect him of possessing more backbone than finally proves to be the case, but at least the climax of the tale is saved- partly through his defection- from any lack of originality. It may not please the strict moralists, but this all depends upon what is considered morality- Aunt Augusta's brand, or Fredericka's, that of the old generation or of the new. One thing at least is certain, there is not a dull moment in the story.
MINCE COLLOP CLOSE- By George Blake (Robert McBride Co.)
There is a great individual charm in these tales of the slum section of Glasgow, and of the "queen" of a criminal band. Bella MacFayden is a character full of interest and appeal, her faults by no means glossed over by the author, but appearing somewhat glorious in spite of them. Each story is complete in itself, yet all hang together, giving the whole the appearance of a novel. Each one is in itself an artistic achievement, and the book is absorbing in interest and thoroughly delightful from the point of view of style. There is not enough of the Scotch dialect to make the reading of the tales difficult, but sufficient to give them a decided charm. Atmosphere, action and characterization, as well as plot, help to make the stories of Bella MacFayden's career of absorbing interest. In spite of the sympathy created for this central figure the ending is eminently satisfactory from every point of view and leaves a hope that some day we may hear of Bella's further exploits, unless they are no longer of the old picturesque variety.
THE SAFETY PIN- By J. S. Fletcher (G. P. Putnam's Sons.)
It is very hard indeed to know heroes from villains in Mr. Fletcher's latest mystery story, and the reader is very successfully kept in the dark as to the outcome until the proper moment for the denouement. Yet he is given a fair opportunity to do his own detective work, and has a chance offered him, of which he is unlikely to avail himself, to guess at the solution. Certainly "The Safety Pin" is one of Fletcher's best. There is a romance woven in the story, but one which comes as a decided surprise to the reader. It impresses us as a romance decidedly more like fact than fiction. The style of writing of the story is what we have learned to look for from this author, delightfully smooth and easy, showing at times a whimsical humor, holding the interest tense through the varied and exciting action, and painting the way very satisfactory word pictures in rural England. Altogether a tale no lover of mysteries will wish to miss.
BROOD OF THE WITCH QUEEN-By Sax Rohmer (Doubleday, Page & Co.) The theme for this tale of horror has been suggested by the idea of the curse of the Pharaohs. Its tragedy is brought about by dealing with the black arts, yet fantastic though the idea is, the story is presented in a fairly plausible manner which will win for its characters |
