The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-06

book. Is THE Ambassadors" by Henry
! James.
James Is the contemporary novelist OF
all others As 4 psychologist. 1.-THE Am
bassadors" Is quite up to his previous
| work. possessing q nicely in analyses that
Is astonishing. Despite his skill. there be
| those. however, who deem that the best
way to appreciate him is to accept all
that IL said in his praise, but to refuse
positively to read his books.
Roswell. otherwise Rosy" Field, broth
er Of the celebrated Eugene Field, has
written q book which surely viii COM
| mand host Of readers. and the publica-
ton OF which approaches literary event
THE Bondage Of Ballinger' Is its name
| 1t Is very quiet story, but has a distinct
| charm for any person whose literary
tastes incline to the piquant. Ballinger is
taken In the book from youth to old age.
but 1t is in picturing the man in the de-
| cline Of life that Field discloses q truly
artistic touch. The pathos and the humor
Of the tale. the human nature, that Ros-
well Field comprehends and transfers to
the printed page.
Thomas Dixon. Jr., who made such hit
with The Leopard's Spots" followed up
with another novel. "The One Woman"
It came out during the summer months
and was widely read. 1t was close to SEN
sational, but not deemed up to his pre-
vdous mark
In these days Of extensive literary pro-
duction. . good work ION the art of writ
ing. 1t may be said piatitudinously. fills
long-felt want" Arlo Bates published
Talks on Writing English" which was
the right thing in the right place. II one
wants to be Interested and to be educated
at once. let him try this book.
Many man or woman likes occadon-
ally to be taken. by some clever writer.
right out into rough-and-ready nature:
Jack London is the clever writer who can
perform this valuable service. His Call
Of the Wild" was published by Machin-
lans last August. It undoubtedly is one
of the best books of the year.
Juvenile books galore have been given
to the reading world during the year.
Among the best Is "a Partnership in
Magic" by Charles Battell Loomis. 1t is
his first piece of long fiction and 1t is no
mistake to declare that 1t Is original and
clever.
James Lane Allen, Us we all know. IS an
artist with words. His book this year is
1.-THE Msttle OF the Pasture" 1t would
make good holiday reading II for no other
reason than that his name Is on tho title
page. The book is decidedly more emo
tional, moro deeply saturated with the sex
problem than is usual with Mr.. Allen.
Of matter the reading Of which gets to be
a habit that cannot b shaken of. Her
chief production this year is 1.-THE Middle
Course" 1t II dashy story told In
fiashy style.
Virginia was in fact and Is. in tho i'm
agination, the scene Of more exciting ex-
ploits than any State in the Union. Henry
B. Boones novel. THE Career Triumph
ant" has to do with life in Virginia In the
early days and gives to that life all the
swash-buckling glamor which character
lied it.
In politics and political novels we are
always interested. A good political novel
Is joy forever.
Two good ones are remembered a. the
product Of the endsavors of authors this
year. The one lisa Philip Payne's 1.-The
Mills of Men," and the other Alfred Henry
L.wis's The Boss" They are dwslt up
or at length in another column of this
issue of The Republic.
During the Christmas and New Year
season the reader likes to pick up some
light. amusing story at which one can
laugh without having the while an inward
feeling of . something closely approachins
disgust.
Molly Elliot eeawelrs book. ''Ths For
tunes Of Eta" will AFFORD Just such a.
healthy laugh. Fin il most amusing
and annoying and yet lovable bit of
French femininity.
Ellen Thornycroft Fowler 10 q writer Of
admitted standing. Last September, from
the Appleton press. came book from her
pen, place and Power" It pictures Eng
lish life.
Upton Sinclair has written a more than
novel in prince Hagen" 1t |
10 wildly improbable. but. withal. Interest,"
sstng.
Possibly the wives and daughters Of the |
community desire to know something of |
what a legislators life IL from the wife's |