Samson Unshorn. By Reginald Turner. (Chapman and Hall. 68 .) — This is
a story of modern journalism, a theme which is wonderfully popular just at present, both on the stage and in fiction. The hero of the book, James Maxwell, makes an extra- ordinary success with the first halfpenny newspaper over intro- duced to the London world, The author has very decided ideas on the way in which modern journalism is conducted. Ile considers that papers which are successful nowadays are so
L, they do not guide, but reflect, the opinions of their regular readers. He therefore makes his hero carefully consult the ofiloo-boy every evening before settling the " leader " of the Daily Opinion, and in consequence of this worthy's dictum on the current topic of tho day, the " leader" always accurately reflects the frame of mind of "the man in the street." There is more than a germ of truth in Mr. Reginald Tureer's idea, though it may be doubted whether the extreme step taken by James Maxwell is usually resorted to. The love story is not half so amusing as the journalism in this novel, and the beautiful Lady Gertrude remains to the end rather an unconvincing figure. The book will be found highly entertaining, especially to working journalists. .
Previous page
