Novels in Brief
EVELY1s: BERRICK, the heroine of Mr. Leonard Rossiter's remarkably clever first novel, That Ridiculous Woman (Selwyn and Blount, 7s. 6d.), has magnificent " spirit." But, while almost sublime in courage, her vanity misdirects her energies and makes her absurd. Though the victim of ill health and deformity, she determines to be " like other women," and risks marriage and motherhood against the advice of her doctors. Resolved, moreover, " like other women," to enjoy life, she flirts with young men, and has not the sense to see that they are not really in love with her, but are Merely courting her wealth and influence. After visiting the dour nerve specialist, Mark Follis, who feels her pulse, she spreads the rumour that he held her hand. Mark's wife is enraged at this and represents to Evelyn the foolishness of supposing that she could actually attract men. Her vanity injured, Evelyn accepts this as a challenge. She will prove that she can bring men to her feet. She finally succeeds, but only at the cost of her son's life and of tragedy for herself. Mr. Rossiter has written a large-scale novel of modern society that is full of life and subtly drawn characters. * * * In The Planter's Wife (Benn, 7s. 6d.) Mr. Marion Osmond gives us a convert: tional and averagely good story of European society in an outpost of Empire. Celia Hayes-Cameron, a beautiful young woman, is deserted by her husband, a Malay planter, and, after some alarming experiences in her lonely bungalow, is lured into a select " circle of English settlers, among whom life is gay and morality questionable. The picture is, we hope, overdrawn. But it is mildly humorous and diverting. * * * Cursed be Their Treasure, by Mr. H. B. Drake (Lane, 7s. &I), is a good romance in the Stevenson vein. Murders, smuggling, lonely inns, and secret coves are eerily described in excellent literary style, and the plot is sufficiently exciting. * * * Well written, also, is The Splendid Rascal (Cassell. 7s. 6d.). Mr. George Challis introduces us to a very fine filibuster in the person of the cavalier, Sir Louis Madelin, who, having been seized by a little band of buccaneers, becomes the captain of their ship. There ensue fightings in the Spanish Main, and before the heroine is rescued at length through the almost superhuman powers of Sir Louis enough blood is shed to satisfy the most sanguinary thirst. * * * Told in the first person, by an old seaman, in letters to his nephew, Monsoon Magic, by Mr. M. Inskipp (Benn, 7s. 6d.), is an account of a gun-running expedition to the Philippine Islands, and of an unlucky love affair, of which the dusky daughter of a native chief is the heroine. The story makes no appeal to credulity. But it is breezy enough, and the dialogue is good in its own facetious way.
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