CURRENT LITERATURE
TRANSGRESSOR IN THE TROPICS By Negley Farson
Mr. Farson remains as entertaining and impetuous as ever. Transgressor in the Tropics (Gollancz, tos. 6d.) is not such a mouthful as its famous prede- cessor for the reason that Mr. Farson does less, sees less and has consequently less to talk about—only a year's activities on the South American continent instead of the gleanings of half a lifetime. But those who were entertained by the richer mixture of the first book will find this equally irresistible, and those who wondered faintly whether this sort of shock-tactics journalism, skimming on wings of irresponsibility, is the best thing in the world for the, health of international relations (and many will be in both classes) will continue to wonder here. But the vivid play of character and incident and the zest of Mr. Farson's energy and curiosity (this, despite its drive, all too easily satiable) are entirely disarming ; and this parade of South American life—a life which embraces Anglican bishops, sailor's dives, angling in the high Andes, ranching in the foothills, the misery of Indians and the triumph of half-castes, rounded off by a series of dictators (personally inter- viewed, of course) of all complexions, political and physical—provides as colourful and breathless an armchair excursion as anyone could wish.
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