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THE UNION-RECORDER, MILL EDGE VILLE, CA-, DECEMBER 24, im BOOK REVIEWS By ALICE HUNTER DEWER RIDES By L. A. G. Strrnf Charlaa Bon., N. Y., 1929 the This is the fourth volume series of Paper Books issued by Charles Boni, in the effrot to bring irood literature to the reading pub lic at a nominal price. The other numbers were The Bridge of San Luis Bey which was isued an a sam ple; The Golden Wind, reviewed in this column previously; und Freder ick the Great. Everett -Dean Martin, one of the seven editors of the series, has writ ten the introduction to Dewcr Rides, explaining that the aerier. is an at tempt to do for the reading public in America what has been done in Eu rope. Then.-, from “the Odeon in Paris, through Finland, into the hin terland und almost h» the Arctic circle one may find in stals, on news stands, and in the Metropolitan bookstands, great number., of good hooks purchasable at reasonable cost. The author, in a foreword, de- j dares that Dartmoor was for many! years his home but that all hi: characters a ,- t imaginary. Were ii not for this assurance one would read the book in the belief that the hu man characters were based wholcly upon reality so definitely are they drawn. This sense of reality is in creased by the dear delineation of nature ns the seasons advance in Dartmoor through which the Mcavy flows. Dew the the superstitious connected with the storm, and floods upon the moors. Mr. Strong has filled the story with the presence of this mythical demon, employing the atrao -pherc of the evil and abnormal. Richard Brandon, the leading charucU r, is a moody, pass ionate being of contradictory in heritances. Slowly from boyhood to his death his story is set forth. Fate direct, his actions and makes havoc of them. To her death his own mother despises the one occupation — farming—which her son has chos en to follow. The boyhood friend by whom he might have risen to ginth man’s estate is estranged through a brutal handling by Rich ard. The good woman whom he loved refused to marry him becaii e of his brutal strength. To Richard religion was insepar able from the worshipper. Again and again he was estranged from the one influence which might have helped him by the failure of a friend to measure up to the religion he had professed. He made a wreck of his life and died from the effects of a punishment inflicted by the coun try mob for a vicious deed he had committed. Yet the reader is not made to de spise the man, but rather to feel a deep sympathy for the boy and man who was within himself the battle ground of warring emotions and im pulses. The character of Routh Pal mer deserves to be placed with the famous women of literature. She is unique, Excellently portrayed, indi vidualistic, worthy of study. There are also other characters in the book which deserve to be called creations from u literary point of view. \ Mr. Strong has put forth a book that merits perusal. Its Dartmoor hills and daffodil-filled valleys, its understanding treatment of the p«j- ple will meet many minds. Those who, with modern taste, demand conflicts in a novel will find herein a number of contests between man and mun, and the most affecting of all conflicts, the struggle of good and evil in human beings. Mr. Mravin defines Strong's fr.ta- Iism as nulciival , being “like a per sonal malice, a spirit of revolt, some thing ungovernable in nature and in man." His verdict that Dewer Rides is a story of earth and powerful one, suggesting Reymont’s The Peas ants or Rolvaug’a Giants cf the Earth ir recommendation enough of book to the meditative reader. Messrs Albert Burke and Herbert Burke of Atlanta, spent Monday with their father, Capt. J. M. Burke. Capt. Burke returned to Atlanta to spent Christmas. Mrs. J. L. Sibley, who has been spending some time in Atlanta has returned nome. Her friends are glad to learn that her h«alth has greatly improved. Mr. R. F. Allison has gone to Florida to spend several days. Mrs. Allison who has been visiting in Florida some time, will return home Mr. and Mrs. Marion Grote and children and Miss Caressa Ebcrhart. came from Zehulon, *>,* ,C„ Riturdcv and are spending the holidays with Mr. ^nd Mrs. F. B. Ebcrhart. CHRISTMAS Our Best Wishes We wish you peace on Christmas Day God’s costliest, Sweetest Gift, And may it keep your heart alway, And ever you uplift This, the Union Recorder’s 109th Christmas and we take this occasion to pledge anew our devotion to the best in terest of every individual in the city and county which we serve. The Union Recorder “Over Ont Hundred Years Devotion to Public Interest”