The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-10-02

aljty, and are distinguished by clear insig ght into the things whereof she speaks. M & PENNY PLAIN
 By o. Douglas George H. Doran
 Company, Publishers. New York
 City.
 After writing several descriptions which were totally inadequate in conveying the charm of Penny Plain" we received the current ls- sue of the London Spectator which so satisfactorily expressed our own feeling about the book that We quote 1t here. Penny Plain" was published in. England late in August, has re- ceived an equally cordial reception from the other reXiews--in fact, u seems to be one of the most gen. erally-lilSed books of the season. The Spectator says: Miss Douglas new book in two ways partakes of qual- ity little short or the miracuious. II it post-war story without a trace of war weariness or bitterness anu it IS full of people who are nice | with the added charm of being en- , tertaining In sense 1t is falry l tale. for we recognize Prince charm | ing in that engaging young peer Lord Bidborough; there is 1alry | god father in MT. Reid, the old bach- | cIor merchant who leaves his fortune i to the first person who unselusniy l befriends him, and Jean. supii- i mated Cinderella without any usly l sisters. The scem Is laid in 1ttle Scots town, so clean and cheerful so attractive in it's surroundings ana m habitants that if the origlnai o' 1 'Priorsfors' really exists anu were Naf- .N Wa danger of it's being oyerrun ana i snoilad bv an influx of the world i weary. rhe nice people in the booN i are of all ages. from seven to seN- ! entv: the little English boy who IS | called .the Mhor.' and Mrs. Hope 1 with her caustie tonsue and no o,e l heart who made age seem loNeiN i and desirable.' have perhaps tne ! nost distinction. but there is hardly soul in the book we should not like l to meet Miss Douglas has a happy 1 way. of seeing the best side or eV erybody; the only people sne tnoi oughly dislikes are some modern nov elists Let us add that 1T an Au- thor is to be judged by her nseIas l preferences and allusions ana quo 1 tations. Miss Douglas deserves very
 high mark"
 THE ROARING ROAD" i Bv Byron Morgan. George Fl. Doran Company, publishers, New horN
 City.
 "'rhe Roaring Road by Byron
 Morgan. is book of short storle
 centering around the deushtiul per sonalitles of old "Bruin' Ward mas :
 CT of Darco motors. the best ana
 fastest on the road; Toodles, his lrre-
 irresistible son in.law. and the cup, q charming. curly haired slip of girl
 ifst d little dearer than anything Il, ! Inc world to both "Bruin" and
 Toodies There are stories or motors
 that ran races and won medals TOT :, the Darco cars. and stories or motors capable of doing the serious wofk o' ! the world and these are after all me
 nearest to old Bruins" heart Not i so Toodles, Speed is his god and his undoiug and he races in and oui
 of season, in defiance of entreaiy and i authority. brl then Toodes is i Toodies, and at the end it is very
 difficult. for "Bruin" not to forgive
 him.
 ! nance of the out-of- doors. of ad-
 venture. the thrill of pluck and dar
 ing. quick wits and quick action 1 laughter and .heartbreak. They are very human. and very entertaining I Light literature al its best and most
 amusing 4tt
 "FAIRIES AND sCHlMNEYS"
 By Rose Fyleman, Gorge H. Dorar
 Company. Publishers New York
 City.
 The chatni of this enchanting lit-
 lie volume Hes in the quality of a
 simple and spontaneous wonder witt
 which the verses are informed. Her,
 are the faries made real before your
 very eyes without any of the elabor-
 ation of detail to which we arc ac-
 customed when most authors attempt