Fiction

Fiction.

The Sword Decides! By the Author of “The Viper of Milan,” and “The Glen o’ Weeping.” Marjorie Bowen. Second Impression.

6s.

“This remarkable book is a series of the most vivid Italian illuminations, a collection of word pictures, as detailed and as splendid as the choicest gems from ‘Les très riches heures’.... She has told it with so much power and insight that it lives and convinces the reader without any need of proof. In this third novel the writer has gone back to the source of her first success, ‘The Viper of Milan,’ but she brings to this later story so much more strength of characterisation, so much greater freedom in the handling of the plot, and such a great deepening of emotional power, that the earlier book, praised as it was when it appeared, will seem a pale and amateurish novel beside its wonderful successor.”—The Westminster Gazette.

“A splendid book. Splendid in that it is full-blooded, bold, dashing, flaming-coloured; splendid in that it goes with a tremendous clattering swing; splendid in that it is played under the full glare of blazing sunshine.”—The Daily Graphic.

“It is probable that she will settle down for the next few years upon such reputation as ‘The Sword Decides’ may make for her. If that is so, we do not think she has much to fear.... The breathless spirit of the thing is so well sustained that it is impossible not to be carried away by it.... Her third book we think, secures her reputation.”—The Daily Telegraph.

“For the scene of her new novel Miss Marjorie Bowen has returned to the country with which she won her first success.... This romance, indeed, in many ways, is superior to anything that its author has ever written.... In fact, her remarkable gifts of description, her quick eye for romance and passion and dramatic effect, never seriously falter. The whole story moves with resistless might to a great and awe-inspiring climax, in which a fierce conflict wages.”—The Standard.

Heather. By the Author of “A Pixy in Petticoats,” “Arminel of the West,” and “Furze the Cruel.” John Trevena.

6s.

“Almost everywhere on Dartmoor are furze, heather, and granite. The furze seems to suggest cruelty, the heather endurance, and the granite strength. The furze is destroyed by fire, but grows again; the granite is worn away imperceptibly by the rain. This work is the first of a proposed trilogy, which the author hopes to continue and complete with ‘Heather’ and ‘Granite.’”

So ran Mr. John Trevena’s Introductory Note in “Furze the Cruel,” the brilliant success of which was one of the features of last year’s publishing. Could there exist, it was asked by readers whose information was confined to holiday tours in the West, among those pleasant Devonshire folks men so brutal and so devoid of moral sense? Yes, answered those who knew, it was too true, and no more faithful picture of life among the Dartmoor peasants has ever been presented. But, happily, there are many delightful characters around Dartmoor for Mr. Trevena to portray, and though no Devonshire novel which blinked the depravity and ignorance that prevail could be pronounced really artistic, the title of “Heather,” as being typical of endurance, suggests a singularly attractive story.

A Case for Compromise. By the Author of “The Adventures of Count O’connor.” Henry Stace.

6s.

Mr. Henry Stace’s name is familiar as the author of the rattling “Adventures of Count O’Connor,” which was much appreciated. The author’s delightful sense of humour and his pure literary style are sure to win him a wide popularity in the near future, and “A Case for Compromise” will be found to be even more entertaining than the author’s first work.

The People Downstairs. By the Author of “Mr. Meyer’s Pupil.” Eva Lathbury.

6s.

Few new writers have enjoyed a more satisfactory début than Miss Eva Lathbury. Her first novel, “Mr. Meyer’s Pupil,” was so extremely intellectual and refined that some publishers might well have hesitated in taking it up. The discernment of the English novel reader, however, was once more vindicated, and the majority of the critics were highly complimentary, one reviewer going so far as to suggest that Miss Lathbury would found a school of her own in fiction. The delicate wit that distinguished “Mr. Meyer’s Pupil” pervades “The People Downstairs,” which is sure to enhance an already enviable reputation.

A Bride on Trust. By the Author of “Tears of Angels,” “An Imperial Love Story,” etc. Capt. Henry Curties.

6s.

“A wonderful royal romance.”—Times. “A veritable feast of romance and sensation of the better type.”—Globe. “A capital book.”—Daily Graphic. “A stirring and original story.”—Birmingham Post. “Capt. Curties has achieved another success.”—Liverpool Post.

Attainment. By the Author of “Kit’s Woman,” and “My Cornish Neighbours.” Mrs. Havelock Ellis.

6s.

Mrs. Havelock Ellis is already responsible for two books, one of which was the delightful volume of Cornish sketches entitled “My Cornish Neighbours”; the other “Kit’s Woman,” a fine story of which the characterisation was much admired. “Attainment,” however, is her first attempt at a long novel, and its appearance is being eagerly awaited by a large circle of novel readers. The story is founded on experiments socialistic, philanthropic and idealistic, and points to the value of a natural life in every respect.

A Melton Monologue. Diana Crossways.

3s. 6d.

“Those who appreciate hunting and hunting sketches will delight in this bright and interesting picture.... Should attain considerable popularity.”—Southport Guardian.

The Disinherited of the Earth. By the Author of “The Tower of Siloam.” Mrs. Henry Graham.

6s.

Mrs. Henry Graham’s previous novel, “The Tower of Siloam,” was a notable success, her thorough knowledge of society being at once recognised. For her second book she has chosen a very different phase of life among the wealthy classes, the bigoted Lady Verrier being a distinct creation, whereas in her first book the author did not attempt to overstep the line of conventionality. In “The Disinherited of the Earth,” moreover, a most commendable restraint is to be noted, while the characterisation is excellent throughout.

Prinsloo of Prinsloosdorp. By “Sarel Erasmus” (Douglas Blackburn). A new edition of a South African Classic. Cloth gilt,

2s.

Though on publication nine years or so ago, “Prinsloo of Prinsloosdorp” achieved a marked success in South Africa, and in circles well versed in South African affairs, there is no doubt that the little book never met with the general appreciation it deserved. On its merits it is a classic, and, though possibly the Boer and his ways may have altered, as a record of how a white republic could be governed in modern times, the “Tale of Transvaal Officialdom” can never be excelled. Certainly nothing more humorously naive has ever been written than this vindication, ostensibly written by his son-in-law, of the much maligned Piet Prinsloo’s memory; it should occupy a place in the bookshelf of everyone who likes to be intellectually amused.

Leaven: A Black and White Story. Douglas Blackburn.

6s.

The author of “Prinsloo of Prinsloosdorp” has more than once proved his ability to write a sustained and serious story, and though certain aspects of life in South Africa are so absurd as to be merely amusing, there is no question that the native problem with which he has chosen to deal in his latest book, is sufficiently grave. So far the Kafir in fiction has either been a farcical chatterbox or an object lesson of futile humanitarianism. Witty and pathetic as Mr. Douglas Blackburn can be on occasion, he indulges in neither low comedy, nor sickly sentimentality in “Leaven.” He traces the young Kafir from leaving his native kraal in guilty haste, to the luxury of a good position in a mining compound. Incidentally young Bulalie is cast into prison and treated with the grossest brutality, and the characters who are concerned in his abasement and rescue are altogether original; the unconventional missionary, the Pietermaritzberg landlady, and the compound manager, are only a few of the admirable sketches which make “Leaven” a novel of remarkable and original merit.