The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-10-26
LITERARY NOTES


 wanted-A Chaperon. by Paul Leices- ter Ford. Dodd. Meade & Col This nrll- liant little volume is among the most popular of the autumn publications. IL IS light without being frivolous and is writ- ten in so fascinating vein that II IS ail- acult to lay 1t aside until 1t Is disclosed that a chaperon is no longer wantfd. It will be unfair to the reader to disclose the situation that conventionality re- .auired the services of a ehaperon' put IL s extremely interesting and most satis- factory in it's happy ending. It would make a charming curtain raiser for again has the author presented the dramatic possibilities that were evident in Janice Meredith"
 The Illustrations are by Howard Chand- Ter Christy and it Is said that even the most arden admirers of MT. Christys work in the past have pronounced these administrations to be the best work that he famous illustrator has done.
 The green and gold binding and the decorations by Margaret Armstrong enehance it's artistic value and make 1t an ideal holiday book-(To be found at Loveman, Joseph & Loeb's.)
 "'rhe Last Word" by Alice McGowan. (L. c. Page 6 Col
 Unusual interest centers about Miss McGowans remarkable literary achieve ment. She is a we'll known southern writ CT and has been prominent for several years in the literary life of New York. "The Last Word" shows her to be writer of force and charm and she has the genius of delineating character to a remarkable degree. Itis said that the author has called from her own experl- ence several of the incidents pictured in "The Last Word"
 It Is intensely interesting and when the story ends and there remains ''the lit tie pocket of open sheets containing de- sultory beginnings of sketches" the au- thor continues to lead ner readers into the highest realms of real literature A recent reviewer says of 'The Last Worlds"
 There are many things which deter mine the success of a book. An author who can give us a number of characters each one of whom seems to be per- sonal friend from whom we part with re- gret with the closing or the book; who conceives a plot absorbing, natural and Diversified; and whose KnowIedge of hu- man nature is so true that we are star tied every few pages at the terse man. her in which he or she has read some character which seemed a reality only to you or me; such an author will write a book that will not only succeed but uve-and such an author is Miss Alice MacGowan This new story of hers, 'The Last Word" is a study or character woven into a wonderfully interesting TO- nance. She has drawn her characters with no uncertain hand, but with the bold free strokes that betolzen the true artist The diction is perfect and tho phrases are chosen and groped to express crisp, original and forcibe ideas. From the opening chapter with It's breezy whiff of Texas life, wholesome and refreshing on through the varied scenes in New York. Washington and Boston, there is the touch of humanity that makes each new character a reality. There is enough or description to please the analytical reader, put not enough to be even the least irksome to those who prefer dia- logue. That the book is in the first per- son rather adds to It's piquaney and the heroine who is that person, is a wonder fully fascinating young slip of a girl. Darlington West, who goes from Texas to New York to succeed" in journal Ism. Her success is marked, but not ov- erdrawn. In fact there is no character In the book that is overdrawn. This girl Is sweet, healthy and well-balanced, viewing life through eyes wide open, un- appalled, and optimistic. There Is tragedy. deep and pathetic in her love-life but at no point does 1t descend to the melo- dramatic She struggles against the ty- ranny, of. love, the unreasoning jealously that causes the incompatibility between her and the man she loves and who loves, her. She does not believe her life work consists in being his passive in- spiration, as he tries to convince her.
 There is constantly increasing interest throushout the chapters and the climax In the last is very suitably called Hearts Triumphant" The illustrations are very lovely. Miss Nina Thatcher posed for Darlington West and Is an Ideally pretty heroine. The book Is one that no Chattanoogan can afford to miss reading. There will be no book of the year possessing more real cnarm or liter ary merit.-(ro be found at Loveman, Joseph & Loeb's.) -