T Speaking of Books HIS department is run in the interest of readers, and not in that of publishers, reviewers, or authors. In order to fill to the best advantage the limited space allotted, nineteen out of twenty books received for review have to be left unnoticed, and such an omission implies nothing about the nineteen books. But it is nevertheless true that there are not nearly so many important books published as readers are led to believe. Reviewers are naturally interested in the craft of writing and in the appearance of new talents in the field. Readers should accept no one's say-so for a book. Buy and read your own books and make your own judgments. "THE HE Closed Garden," by Julian Green. Harper & Brothers. This novel, having been chosen by the Bookof-the-Month Club, has found its way. into a more general circulation than might have been expected from its nature. The story is insistently gloomy, the setting drab, and the principal character abnormal. There have been greatbooks so describable; books read and cherished, not by readers of a month, but by readers of generations. But they have been books which inclosed, as in a bitter shard, the germ of all human experience. Adrienne Mesurat, whose soul is the closed garden, is the hysterical product of a ghastly childhood, imprisoned with a gloomy, tyrannical father and a sickly sister in the Villa des Charmes. The repression, above all, the monotony of her existence, has driven her into hysteria. It eventually drives her into imagining herself in love with the local doctor, whom she has barely seen and never spoken to. Her life becomes an endless morbid dream. She lives in a speechless, almost motionless turbulence, conceiving plans for meeting her beloved, permitting them to be frustrated by her habit of conformity and suffering. She helps her sister, whom the father will not allow to be ill, to leave home, and when her father turns against her for this and for what he believes to be her love affair she pushes him down the stairway to his death. The murder is suspected by two women, one of whom, whose reputation with the local gossips is bad, takes the father's place as Adrienne's chief torturer. The doctor Edited by FRANCES LAMONT ROBBINS It is a terrible story, rasping to the bully and made to endure the torture THIS list is compiled from the lists of the ten best-selling volumes sent us by wire by the following book-shops each week: New York-Brentano's; St. Louis-Scruggs, Vandevoort, & Barney; Los Angeles-Bullock's; Chicago-Marshall Field & Co. Fiction "The Bridge of San Luis Rey," by Thornton This beauWilder. Albert & Charles Boni. tifully written and moving study in the working of God's providence, and of love, the bridge which joins the living and the dead, deserves its popularity. Reviewed January 4. Doubleday, "Wintersmoon," by Hugh Walpole. Doran & Co. A social comedy in Walpole's best vein. Reviewed March 7. "Bad Girl," by Viña Delmar, Harcourt, Brace & Co. We recommend, especially to young men and women, this fine story of the trials of the first married year of two plain young people, their touching misunderstandings and honest efforts to understand; and a deeply moving account of the most thrilling experiBanned by ence a woman can have-a baby. Boston. "The Closed Garden," by Julian Green, translated by Henry Logan Stuart. Harper & Brothers. Reviewed in this issue. "The Green Murder Case," by S. S. Van Dine. Charles Scribner's Sons. Plenty of bloodshed, and more than enough persiflage by Philo Vance. Van Dine enthusiasts like it. Non-Fiction Boni & "Stonewall Jackson," by Allen Tate. If Balch & Co. An excellent account of Jack- nerves, but not stirring to the emotions. the house, saturated with hate and sup- listening to the shriek of chalk draw down a blackboard or the scrape of file against teeth. Julian Green has received a great dea of praise. His work has been compare to Emily Brontë's and to Balzac's. It not very surprising that Green, a American born and reared in France an writing in French, should couple Lati physical expression with northern spir ual essence. This is one of his claims the attention of the curious. We believ that it may prove his undoing as an a ist. It is a question of the old joke if the cat had kittens in the oven, wou o you call them biscuits. Well, if th were baked, they would certainly not kittens. French critics speak of Gre as the foremost French writer of h generation; American reviewers hail He is witho as an American genius. any question a French writer, and books read better in French than English. So far as we have seen, t French critics are right. But genius another thing. A genius is the mout piece through which that force which made up of all the aspiration and all suffering of humanity speaks a frac of its infinite wisdom; it is a man come Man. At present Julian Green still a promise, a novelist of undoub talent to whose future one looks eager Tomorrow, if he shows himself as abl dealing with the normal as he now with the abnormal, he may be a nove of great talent, and a fulfillment. Burgoyne's Surrender By W. J, GHENT "The Turning Point of the Revolution," by man Nickerson, Houghton Mifflin Comp Yorktown was the child of Sarat contends Mr. Nickerson; without goyne's surrender and the French in vention that promptly followed it colonies could hardly have won thei dependence. From a careful exam tion of all the available material he reconstructed the Saratoga camp and presented a study packed with formative detail and illumined with The Outl t of the co-operation on which he had counted, Germaine's order to Howe to move up the HudTerson was never signed Her E Courtesy Weyhe Gallery and never sent, but carelessly pigeonled or mislaid; and Howe, seeing something more to his liking in the movement against Philadelphia, left Buryne to shift for himself. By August 3 the latter knew that he had been dested, and though two months later he was indulging in extravagant hopes over Sir Henry Clinton's northward movement, the reverses at Bennington and Fort Stanwix, the checkmate of September 19, and the defeat of October 7 A SUMMER NIGHT IN CENTRAL PARK A Lithograph by Jan Matulka The narrative is tive to the subject has been examined placed him in a position from which ad- military judgment," still remains "a ministrator" and "not a little of sound His one hope of salvation-a prompt though it would be folly to place him, as Nance or retreat was equally impossible. mean, base fellow;" and Washington, and vigorous movement from the south was not forthcoming, and the surrender of October 17 followed. By December 4 the news was known at the French Court. Within forty-eight hours the King had approved a memorandum recognizing the United States and virtually amination and fair appraisal. lying France with the infant Republic, some have done, "among the supreme and within two months the definite book ought to be strongly fortified (or The reader who believes that a fact treaty of alliance was signed. perhaps richly embellished) with foot- Hi there is nothing strikingly new in the depiction of the scene and its setting, volume. There are yet outstanding qualities in the them; he believes that they distract the work that lift it to a place of notable importance. It is thorough, both in its narrative. Just how this objection would attention and obstruct the flow of the "Rainbow Round My Shoulder," by Howard W. Odum. The Bobbs-Merrill Company. A child's chalk drawings on a board fence and a Michael Angelo's "Last Judgment" spring from largely the same characteristic of the human race, and yet in any comparison of the two art works the former must suffer. And so it is with "Memoirs of a White Crow Indian" and "Rainbow Round My Shoulder." The one is a book, the other an epic; one a set of notes, the other a lyrical plaint; one an account of incidents in an individual's life, the other a glimpse into the soul of the Negro race. Injustice it may be, then, to compare, or contrast, the two, and yet the very title of Dr. painstaking analysis. Everything rela- book, where one can look for them or accumulation of material and in its apply to notes printed at the end of the Marquis's book begs consideration as a May 30, 1928 work on the American Indian. Then, too, considered side by side, these two Since Dr. Marquis is not an Indian, The Pointed Firsedly. The resultant is no work of pene A beautiful mansion situated in the charming old village of Castleton-on-Hudson on a plateau overlooking the Hudson River with a view of the Helderberg and Catskill Mountains; on east bank, eight miles south of Albany, on main line of New York Central Railroad and concrete river road from Albany to New York. About twenty acres of land, orchards, woodland, spring, prolific gardens on gentle southern slope, varied shrubberies, including magnolia trees. The house is splendidly built. Twenty rooms, susceptible of further division, numerous shower-baths, washbasins, stools, modern steamheating and hot-water plant, fountain, electricity and water; tennis court and service house, lodge, garages, and various other outbuildings. Easily accessible to Albany. Good schools and markets in village. Most adaptable for gentleman's estate, school, sanitarium, roadhouse, or hotel. Price $50,000, which is about one-third of the cost of reproduction. Terms can be arranged. K. COLEMAN 475 Fifth Avenue, New York, N. Y. THE OUTLOOK RECOMMEND CAMPS The Florence Wilde Studio Vacation in the Catskills, where you have an Inquire about 2 weeks' plan for business women. 1700A.D Pine Knoll Mano Summer School and Camp fo trative power, but a straightforward a limited plains area. The most valuable If the heart of the undemonstrative Mr. Odum has done for another "color" all that Messrs. Leforge and SOUTH HARWICH, CAPE COD GIRLS' CAMP 7th season. On Lake Charlevoix, Mich. For 50 girls. Fee $275. Staff of college women. supplies from our own camp farm. Individual atte stressed. MRS. GEORGE R. SWAIN, Dire 713 E. University Ave., Ann Arbor, M BOYS' CAMP SAGAWATHA LODG BANTAM LAKE, CONNECTICUT Cabin camp for 50 boys. 100 miles from New York City land and water sports. Experienced counselors, campm all that boys need. Booklets and interviews on re Dr. J. H. HOBBS, Director, Lakeside, Litchfield Co., TEACHERS' AGENCY Marquis have left undone and consid- The Pratt Teachers' Agen 70 Fifth Avenue, New York Recommends teachers to colleges, public and private s EXPERT SERVICE and comes endlessly, but always the his cry for his mother and his h Judgment of character, either whit black, is all too seldom carried to "E high degree here attained. Ulysses" understands himself to amazing degree, but he is too res too care-free, to take issue with His life is mu than life itself. rather than gentle-but to attempt telling of all the author has put int book would, as his chief character in his refrains, "take till tomorrow erably more. He not only takes us over to tell 'bout 'em." The keenes penetration Mr. Odum puts into italics prefacing all chapters. here you , bathing ated Ca Picked at Random By WALTER R. BROOKS William Morton Wheeler's Foibles of Insects and Men In the sixteenth century the relatives of a certain Lady Glanville tried to have her will set aside on the ground that, since she habitually pursued butterflies, she must have been insane. Even today the entomologist is an object of derision among those who do not realize that such projects as the Panama Canal could never have been carried through without him. Yet those who laugh artily at the bug-hunter peering at a mall cockroach through a magnifyingglass would be amazed to learn how Campech the antics of ants and spiders and Children aches resemble his own behavior. APE CO and ene lication e, Mass MP These are scientific papers, not originally Latin ritten for popular consumption, yet so interesting is the matter, and so well es Professor Wheeler express it, that cannot fail to entertain the reader. PHR Here are ants that live like poor relaleveres on the bounty of other ants, ogre ps that prey on ant communities, but Arber dain the common people and carry off their caverns and devour only the ens, coy lady spiders who can only won with gifts, and wicked lady ders who bite off their lovers' heads while embracing them. The last paper in the book is one of the most ENCinted and amusing essays we have ever AIN P LODG ECTIC ad. It is in the form of a letter from A King of the 8,429th Dynasty of the licose Termites, in which a compariis made between the civilizations of en and termites. This King gazes upon and is not impressed. "A lot of ve men and cave women," he says, ying at having a perpetual pink tea Kaffeeklatsch." It is well worth P d reading. Jack's specialty is machine guns, and with a few of these and his gang of roughnecks to handle them, he has been the trusted ally of not a few Mexican generals, and when he says, "Obregon and I gave Villa a bad time," we feel sure that Obregon was really nothing but a bystander. We liked the poker-game story, in which he slipped the extra card -dealt him by his opponent in an effort to invalidate his hand-into a sandwich and ate it. And yes, we even believe in Olga, the beautiful Boche spy, and her strange passion for her enemy. at you may expect to find there; they party. Personally, if we couldn't throw dead on you-if you give that kind of you what the author found there nd whether Mr. Hall goes to the South or the North Pole, he can be nted on to find a great many inter a party without the aid of a book . . . things to say. We don't know it was played with great gusto in the ch about the physical contour, prod- home of some celebrity or other. or population of these islands he visited, but we know exactly what there is like. Mr. Hall is a romana journalist-at-large who takes his malism much less seriously than the lity of his prose will permit at least ay 30, 1928 We didn't like the implication that the CANADIAN 12 Days New York-Quebec A day each way at Halifax, and two Ideal Summer Vacations BERMUDA Only 2 days from New York Low, all expense, inclusive tours eight days' $102 (up). Effective June 1st. Two sailings weekly by palatial new motorship "BERMUDA," 20,000 tons gross, and S. S. "FORT VICTORIA." to Note: Bermuda is free from Hay Fever. 12 DAY CRUISE St. John's NEWFOUNDLAND Halifax NOVA SCOTIA $120.00 UP The most unique, healthful and desir RED CROSS LINE S.S."NERISSA" and S.S."SILVIA" Sailings from New York every Saturday BOWRING & CO, 17 Battery P1,N.Y. OHIO RIVER TRIP DID YOU KNOW that there are two comfortable western river type steamboats affording a 1,000-mile journey on the Ohio River from Pittsburgh, Pa., to Cincinnati, Ohio, and return? Big white steamboats with towering pilot- PITTSBURGH & CINCINNATI PACKET LINE NEWAGEN INN CHATHAM BARS INN "Where sea, cliffs, and Spruce forests meet" Open June 15th to Oct. 1st UNRIVALED advantages for short vacation or entire summer. Plan now. Chosen guests. 200-acre estate on seaward tip of 5-mile cape Inn and cottages private baths, or hot and cold water in every room. Only hot and cold sea water baths on coast. Finest cuisine. Artesian well water. Tempered sea water swimming pool. Fishing, golf, tennis, boating, motoring. State roads. No hay fever. Write now for illustrated booklet. Address until June 15th: JOSHUA L. BROOKS 136 Wilbraham Ave., Springfield, Mass. part of West End, few yards Hyde Park. All Pemaquid Beach, Me. bedrooms with running hot and cold water.No charge baths, boots, or attendance. Moderate terms for full board or room and breakfast. Tariff, etc., direct or through Outlook Travel Bureau Rooms Reserved Against Deposit Switzerland Villa Lucia Located near picturesque Lugano, Switzerland, offers a comfortable home for a summer vacation, at reasonable rates. Season July 1 to September 15. Highest references exchanged. Further information address Miss MELANIE M. MULLER, House in the Pines, Norton, Mass., or The Outlook. Connecticut SUNCLAD ACRE In the Connecti cut Berkshires is a historic Colonial house beautifully situated. In good preservation, with all modern comforts. An old terraced garden fragrant with old-timy flowers. Lovely walks and drives. Invigorating climate. Not gay, but very restful and unusual. Only 4 rooms available, so reservations should be made. 2 hours from Grand Central. References. Address ALICE BENNETT, Brookfield Center, Conn. THE WESTOVER On Bantam Lake Litchfield, Conn. Five detached cottages, central dining hall, large recreation building. Shore froutage of one-sixth of a mile on Connecticut's largest lake, with sandy bathing beach. Fishing, boating, tennis. Special rates for June. For booklet address Miss MAUDE E. BROWN, Manager, THE WESTOVER, Bantam, Conn. SHARON, Conn. The BARTRAM INN In the Berkshires. Attractive, comfortable, on beautiful village green. May 1 to Nov.1. Address Miss Beatrice M. Fay. THE WILLOWS A delightful resort on Stony Creek Bay overlooking the beautiful Thimble Islands. Every opportunity of enjoying a vacation on water at moderate rates. Motor boats, canoes or rowboats by day or week. House has every convenience, good dauce floor and large verandas. Catering to Christian clientele. Rates $22-$25 per week, American plan. James A. MacLeod, Prop., Stony Creek, Conn. On Johns Bay, in sight of the old fort built CAMP MORSE Berkshires For originally in 1607. Private home with moderu accommodations, excellent food. rates, booklets, and terms apply to Mrs. Hilda Wells, Pemaquid Beach, Me. For ADULTS On Goose Lake, Lee, Mass. Altitude 1,700 ft. Cabins, good beds, homecooked food, boating, bathing, fishing, tennis, walks. MAY MORSE, Camp Morse, Lee, Mass. Individual RANGELEY, MAINE. cabins, fireplaces, baths, central dining-room, heart of mountains and lakes. Garage, tennis, golf near by, fishing, saddle horses. Round Mountain Lake Camps The best fly fishing in Maine For small-size brook trout in either lake, pond or 16 miles of mountain streams. 2,000 it. elevation. Hay fever unknown. Separate log cabins, central dining-room with open fires. You can get plenty trout here in July and August. Write for booklet. Dion O. Blackwell, Round Mountain, Me. of recreations. Excellent table. Moderate rates. Booklet. L. M. Rockwell, Pittsfield, Mass. THE NORTHFIELD East Northfield, Mass. A Homelike Hotel overlooking the beautiful Connecticut River Valley. Offers ideal accommodations for vacation or as a summer home. Golf on estate about the house; tennis; good motor roads and train connections. Excellent facilities, attractive rates. Write for folder. AMBERT G. MOODY, Mgr. New Hampshire A Charming Old New England Home Chase's-on-Lake Sunapee In the lake and mountain region. Ideal for rest and recreation. Thoroughly modern in its appointments. Boating, bathing, fishing, hiking. Golf near by. Home cooking. Fresh vegetables, milk, cream. Our house is homey and informal. Anna Chase, Hostess, P. O. Georges Mills, N. H. Gilmanton, N. H. A Tourists' Rest Center, in New Eng land's beautiful vacation land, has unique climatic, scenic, and social attractions. Robinswood Inn, Cottage Bungalows and Adult Camp offer a charming summer home and resting point. Several old-time houses are bargains Manager sends booklet and terms. EAGLE MOUNTAIN HOUSE Jackson, N. H. Open June 15 for Brook Trout Fishing A modern hotel in 350-acre estate of forest and field, overlooking many mountains and beautiful Wildcat Val ley. Accommodates 125. Tennis, bathing, golf, mountain climbing, horse back riding, orchestra, library, peol and billiards. Hunting in October. C. E. GALE & SON RAVINE HOUSE RANDOLPH, N. H. Picturesquely located on the State highway in a beautiful valley, facing the Presidenta Wid Range of the White Mountains. porches, tennis court, bathing and dancing Famous Crystal Spring water. Radiating point for 110 miles of mountain trai Booklet on request MARK WHITMAN, Mgr. Rates, details, bookings, Outlook Trav Navesink House, Navesink, N.. Open for women boarders on July 11th. Pudding Stone Here, close by, but away from the whir the town you will find a quiet, restful amidst 12 acres of big trees, and where wood walks abound, besides comfortable roo and excellent food. Write for booklet. O all year. G. N. VINCENT, Boonton, N. |