Among the Books
A Literary Page or Two

(By “Shibli Bagarag.”)

Not for a long time have I heard a book so keenly discussed as Alan Mulgan's “Spur of Morning.” The verdict is practically unanimous, and that is that it is one of the finest novels ever published by a New Zealander. I have heard slighting references made to the love scenes in the book. These, perhaps, come from superior beings who have basked in the hothouse of modern “literature.” But I think there is a big majority who would like to mount H. G. Wells's Time Machine and hurry back to the early days of Mulgan's story (for he pictured things as they really then were) and taste the uncloyed sweetness of old time romance.

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Clever, daring and provocative, sums up “Journalese,” a copy of which has reached me just as we go to press. The author is Miss Iris Wilkinson, who writes under her well-known pen name “Robin Hyde.” Quite remarkable how fully charged with incident have been the twelve years Miss Wilkinson has spent in New Zealand journalism. In this book she has revealed herself as a real journalist—a super-sensitive “nose for news,” and ability to tell the story and hold her reader, a remarkable memory and the keenest sense of observation. In one respect only she fails: her criticisms of the big body of the daily press of New Zealand. All things considered, we have a fine press in this country, one that lives up splendidly to its duty—the watchdog of the public. I believe that with the leavening influence of time “Robin Hyde” will modify her views regarding our press. “Newspaper candour,” she writes, “is a thing of the past.” There has been plenty of evidence, even quite recently, in the leading dailies, that candour is far from lacking. “Journalese” is quite the most interesting book published in New Zealand for many a year. It is an all New Zealand production, the printing being done by the National Printing Co., Auckland. I will refer to the book again in my notes of next month.

One of the most pleasant literary gatherings I have attended in this country was the first social evening of the New Zealand Centre of the P.E.N. The presence of Miss Edith Lyttelton (“G. B. Lancaster”) at the gathering gave it, of course, its paramount interest. Everybody was taken with her sweet sincerity and natural charm. Unaffected by her brilliant achievements in storydom she spoke with all the modesty of a blushing beginner. No literary body I know of has done its initial foundation work so carefully as the New Zealand Branch of this famous organisation. The membership is being most carefully selected, with no hint of literary snobbery, and the manner in which its first public function was run suggests that at long last this country has a sound literary parliament—one that will be of great practical value to literary endeavour in New Zealand.

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Good progress is being made by Mr. C. R. Allen, of Dunedin, in the collection

This month's Book Plate.

for Miss Edith Fry, of the Panton Arts Club, of a volume of New Zealand short stories, which she is hopeful of publishing through the Authors' Press. Mr. Allen has selected and despatched twenty-two stories which may be added to, or replaced here or there, as the work proceeds.

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“New Zealand Best Poems of 1934” has just reached me. I have read the poems it contains, and have placed the book on an honoured shelf among the best of my New Zealand literature. I will take it down from time to time and gather new joy from the music it contains, for to me the music that is nearer is always sweeter, and this is the music of our own land, our own poets. It has been selected by that most excellent judge of poetry, Mr. C. A. Marris. It bears, therefore, the hall mark of worth. Mr. Marris would not pad such a collection with the work of many poets, just that the volume may sell. Of the thirty-odd poems, eighteen are from five poets, but the favouritism is for art's sake. The work of Eileen Duggan is paramount. Two other poets represented with four poems apiece are “Robin Hyde” and Arnold Wall, and deservedly so. Harry Tombs has printed this precious little volume with appropriate artistry.

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New Zealand writers will be interested in the announcement that “The Bulletin” is offering £25 in prizes for humorous stories. For the funniest humorous short story, narrative, sketch or essay of not more than 2,500 words, submitted within the next three months (up to January 31st next). “The Bulletin” offers, in addition to payment of its usual rates, the first prize of £15, second of £7, third of £3. The aim is stories, etc., capable of raising a laugh: if capable of raising a lot of laughs, so much the better.

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At long last a worthy travel magazine has made its appearance in this part of the world. Several efforts have been made in the past in this respect in Australia and New Zealand, but they all met with ill-success, mostly because the production page 63 side was lacking. With “Walkabout,” the official organ of the Australian National Travel Association, we have something worthy of the big tourist attractions of Australia, New Zealand and the South Seas. The first number has reached me just as we go to press so that I cannot give the publication the space it deserves. Sufficient to say that in pictorial and literary contents and general production it is of a standard equal to the best of many similar journals published in other parts of the world.

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If it is only because of the fact that it contains three or four outstanding poems by A. R. D. Fairburn, “New Poems,” recently published by the Caxton Club Press of Christchurch, fully justifies its appearance. His “Winter Night” is a simple theme on which is built a peculiarly beautiful melody. This poem brought back to my mind an observation made many years ago by Zangwill: “The true dignity of the artist is to be sublimely simple rather than simply sublime.” Other contributors to this book of verse, and the work is mostly more than mediocre standard, would do well to commit this great advice to memory. Lovers of New Zealand verse should add this dainty little booklet to their collection. The price is, I believe, 1/3 per copy from Canterbury University, Christchurch.

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