The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01


are mum bered by the thousand, while
those who read 81 70 books are limited to
the hundreds. # the publishers had given
the literary world "Chimmie Fadden's"
successor in a 50-cent edition the sale
would doubtless have been as large. There
can be no other reason, for The Daughter
Of the Tenements," though differing wide
ly in style from the authors first book, is
equally as good.
X X X X X
Among the new books of the week not
included in the review columns are: The
Train; "A Three-Stranded Yarn" by
Clark Russell; "Oakleigh, Ellen Douglas
Deland; Dorothy and other Italian
Stories" Constance Fenimore Woolson; !;
Sorrows of Satan," Maria Corvette; |;
"People We Pass" Julian Ralph.
X X X X X
One of the leading sellers of the week,
following close on the heels of Bonnie
Briar Bush" and 1.-The Days of Aud Lang
Syne," by MacLaren, and The Prisoner
OF Zenda, by Hope, is THE Red Cockade, "
by Weyman.
X X X 4 x
1t is interesting to note that the two
books most popular with the reading pub
nished the material for two of the most
popular plays, "Trilby' and The Prisoner
of Zenda." They have been almost as
much of run at the hands OF the
dramatist, if not quite equal TO
their literary vogue. The subtle quail
ties of "Trilby'' are not. and could not be,
transferred to the stage, says the Book
man, and had the book not been SO widely
read it is almost certain the play would
not be q success. 1t would hardly be in
tellieible, in fact, TO a person unfamiliar
with the novel.
4 X 4 X X
The same criticism does not apply to the
"Prisoner of Zenda.' Those who are not
acquainted with the book Will find the
play. so say the critics, one of vivid IN
terest Edward Rose, who dramatlzed
the novel in collaboration with Mr.. Hope,
is already known as successful dramatic
author.
X x 4 X 4
Anthony Hope IS but 80 years of age,
and with one or two notable exceptions
few authors of the present century have
attained the ssme degree of celebrity and
nopularitv at his years. His first novel,
T. Man OF Mark" published at his own
expense in 1889. was financial failure.
It's recent publication, however, has made
amends for its first reception. AT that
the profession as his career in life. he
wrote simply for amusement His second
hook. Father Stafford" published in
1890. was not a success financially. Some
of his subsequent short stories attracted
attention, but the reading public waited
for 1.-The Prisoner of Zenda" before ac-
knowledging his inherent and pre-eminent
genius as novelist.
X K X X X
Mr.. Hope, one of the leading literary
Journals saws, has had several flattering
invitations to make lecturlng tour III
America. He has declined them all, and
thereby shows remarkably good taste and
iudomenu for one so young and successful.
1t took year to revive the sale Of Dickens
works after his lecture tour.
X X X X X
H Rider Haggard's new novel, Joan
Haste" TO which reference was made last
week, is wide departure from that versa
tile authors usual style. Critics claim
that it would make wildly interesting
dramatization. The main incidents would
have fine scenic effect on the boards.
X X X r X
At dinner of the Authors Club in
London, given in honor of Mr.. Haggard,
Sir Walter Besant RECALLED the members
with some pleasant observations on his
three favorite books. He said: ''The first
of these is Zola's TAssommoir.' The
second is She which I read in single
night. 1t was impossible while the book
was in my hand to take my eyes from
single page. The third is The Light That
Failed These three books simply seized
me. Written by different authors, yet all
have the same firm grip-by which | mean
that if you begin them you simply have to
go on with them"
4 4 r 4 X
Just at present the bookmen on both
sides of the big pond are watching with
interest the experiment being made by
French authors in publishing their own
writings. If it should prove successful
many of the copyright and other problems
which confront the author will have been
dissolved.
EITStnE nIT9NnE