The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-07
REGENT FICTION.
BY PAUL PRY.

6I FAOL FRIs
 "The Land of Joy" by Ralph Henry Barbour. published by Doubleday. Page & Co.
 It is not surprising that the healthy interest manifested at the present time in college life, with its accompanying athletics and sports. should give rise to a distinct class of fiction that may very aptly be termed College Stories" Quite a number of such stories have been written both in the form of the short novelettes for magazine publication and longer ones which appear In book form. These, of course, are always written by young college men either during their student days or soon afterward. One of the very best college books that has ap- peared Is Ralph Henry Barbour's The Land of Joy" MT. Barbour has written several successful college stories-The Half Back for the Honour of the School etc, and has also contributed for some time to the magazines under the name of Richard stilman Powell" "The Land of Joy" however, is his ftst piece of fiction and a most credtable work It appears in an attractive binding of grey and red with imprints, 1t is to be presumed, suggestive of college life books and steins.
 "The Land of Joy Is the kind of clever book that the reader feels disposed to pass on to a friend feeling sure that it will please. Spirited, quick-witted and discerning, the story is an exceptionally attractive one There is nothing unusual in the plot or theme just a recital of the old. old story. But happy intertwining of the affairs of two young couples that 4l.f.. ,1Ia ek.
 The simplicity and graceful ease of the plot and the naturalness of the situations are possibly It's chiefest charms. We meet the young hero-rather the two he- roes--at Harvard, and in the incidents which occur from page to page is brisk and effervescent picture of college life. Just enough of the varying ele- ments of this life to give reality and dash to the setting of the story. Very soon the deep human interest gathers about the tender and idyllic love story of the dual heroes. One of the heroes-Phil- lip Ryerson-is young Virginian, and one would probably guess truly to say that the author is of Southern extrac- tion. For, so tender and gentle a picture is presented of the fine old southern family and southern sentiments and feel ings. Somehow 1t glows over the entire story and softens and beautiies 1t with a dash of the chivalry and sentiment of by-gone days
 "A Daughter of Thespis," by John D. Barry, published by L. c. Page & Co.
 If you are interested in a closer knowl- edge of "actor-folk'' and a peep behind the scenes as 1t were, then "A Daughter of Thespis'' will be sure to please you. A reader speaking of the book said. It's not clever book-just natural one" and Howells commends it because of It's "quietness," It is not clever and 1t Is quiet and yet MT. Barry has written a long story concerning events which oc- cured from day to day to the creatures of his imagination on the stage and off with as much commonpiaceness as often occurs in actual life. Many characters come and then go with the uneventful- ness that characterizes the movement of certain persons in life. Mir Barry does not seem to possess any definite concep- ton of a plot. and 1 verily believe his heroines marriage was as much of a surprise to him as it was to the reader. A very happy arrangement of marriage and some captious pen might pronounce it a sordid one, for there Is scarcely suspicion of the actual presence of the grand passion in the heart of the hero. inc. In few books will there be found such terse and crisp conversations, most admirable feature of a story if they only have wit and spirit here, however 1t is oftentimes as dull and lustreless as Is too often the case in real life. Few writers have written with more fnti- mate and comprehensive grasp than Mr. Barry here does of the life and natures of the people of the stage, and the lit erary folk so intimately associated with them in thought and purpose.
 "A Daughter of Thespis' would be greater work did 1t not painfully lack central human interest. There Is no cen- tral theme around which the diversified characters are focused, and in conse- quence though the characters are all esscellently drawn, one misses a purpose in them which creates ana holds the in terest of the reader. It is readable book but truly a quiet. unconditional