23 JUNE 1928, Page 23

BLACK VALLEY By Hugo West. (Longrnans. 7s. 6d.) With this

romance a famous South American author makes his bow to the English public. The plot, though it has many minor surprises, is familiar enough in outline. The main elements are a feud between the lords of neighbouring estates, the love of two women for one man, and the schemings of a mother separated from her illegitimate child. But Mr. West writes with uncommon passion and poetry, and the Argentine background, beautifully painted, makes an impressive setting for an idyll that turns to tragedy.