Reviews.

“Like Water Flowing,” by Margaret Mackay (Angus & Robertson, Sydney) is a story that will delight everybody. It is a novel of life in northern China and because of the apparently faithful picture it gives of the simple Chinese country folk and the Chinese countryside has a particular interest at the present time. “East is East and West is West,” has been the theme of many a novel, but here the scheme is worked out in a new light. Indeed, Pearl Buck in commenting on the novel has claimed that it is a story which has never before been told—the story of the Eurasian in China. The heroine is the beautiful daughter of a cultured Chinese mother and English father. Her romance with a young English officer turns to tragedy because of her mixed nationality. The several men who subsequently come across her path are most interestingly portrayed. And in the background are the author's most colourful pictures of Chinese life and character.

“Four Men and a Prayer,” by David Garth (Angus & Robertson, Sydney) is a novel that will appeal to everybody with its colour, romance and excitement. Colonel Sir Loring Leigh is found dead in his English home. Presumably a case of suicide, for he has been brooding over the fact that he has been chashierd following a Courtmartial. His four sons think otherwise and search for the individual or individuals who “framed” him. They go to India, Morocco and Buenos Aires and meet romance and adventure. The novel teems with excitement.

“The Little Black Princess of the Never Never,” by Mrs. Aneas Gunn (Robertson & Mullens, Melbourne) was first published in 1905. The latest edition in booklet form has been adapted for use in schools. This little book, with its vivid pictures of native life in Australia, is a small Australian classic.

“Ego of Youth,” by Willow Macky, is an artistically produced booklet of verse carrying the imprint of the Griffin Press, Auckland. I gather from the introduction that Willow Macky is a young person and of her the introducer, J. W. Shaw, holds high hopes for the future. Willow Macky has talent and seeing that the verses were written between the ages of eight and fifteen they show wonderful maturity. She has supplied accompanying decorations which are dainty and artistic.

“Koala,” by Charles Barrett, C.M.Z.S. (Robertson & Mullens, Melbourne) is the second edition of a booklet descriptive of the Australian bear. In letter-press, photographic illustration and format, the booklet is a pleasing production.

“Air-Raid Precautions in Peace or War,” by L. Buchanan (Angus & Robertson, Sydney) is a timely booklet bringing home to people of the Southern Hemisphere the fact that the advent of a world war must set us thinking about problems of air defence.