The Washington times., 1922-04-16
POWERFUL DRAMA i'm LATEST
NOVEL BY DAWSON
VANISHING POINT
MARKED BY fine
LITERARY STYLE
Accurate Characterization
and Thrilling Situations Are
Happily Blended In Writer'S
Latest Book.
BY AsfEs KENDRICK.

-
Latest Book.
BY AMES KENDRICK.
Ply HERE are a few writers who
have gained o considerable
following through turning
cut novels classified as "thrillers."
And there are fewer who have
gained a following almost rs large
by producing novels distinguished
for fine literary style. technique
and accuracy in depicting charao-
ter. Yet these two distinct types
are seldom found between the COW
srs of single book.
That they can be combined tn
one volume. however. is evidenced
by the fact that the authors OF
majority of the great stories OF
former years. which have retained
their popularity down to the pres
ent time, have hit upon the magic
formula and combined breathless
suspense with inimitable literary
quality. And that they can stiii
be combined In the same volume Is
proved by the new novel titled
"The Vanishing Point" by Con-
ingsby Dawson Cosmopolitan
Book Corporation)-
Dawson's fame has been built
mainly upon his exquisite literary
style and his gift for vivid, accu-
rate character portrayal. And all
of his previous books have been
more or less photographed in
their nature.
Now, however, he has attained
book in which his earlier skill is
TO be recognized, but in which he
has introduced such a powerful
plot that the reader In only half
conscious of the extraordinary lit
erary quality of the writing. Daw-
son has proved-or. rather, re-
proved, for Dickens and Scott and
a parade of other old masters beat
him TO it-that when an author
capable of "fine writing sets out
10 do a story packed tight with
drama it's time to sit up and take
notice.
"The Vanishing Point" which
D. ~
possibility and desire merge, is q
story of an American traveller
business man-who knew nothing
at all about women. o. Henry once
told tale OF a man into whose
life romance had never entered.
who, acting on a whim. turned In
at "The Green Door" instead of
following the prosaic crowd on the
street. And romance with a capital
ar" began then. 80 with Philip
Hindwood, Dawson's very average
American business man
Pinned to his pillow at the Ritz
he found a note on which wns
written, Follow the Widow" And
for the first time In his life he dis
covered in himself an unsupported
capacity for chivalrous reckless
ness. What American business
man hasn't It, no matter how
deeply hidden beneath the surfacef
Anything is likely to happen when
II comes to the surfaced
In this case swift adventures
follow in profusion as the story
whips on its way. Tho business
man meets one woman whom
readers will call either the wick
edest In the world or the greatest
saint. And finds that to be loved
by this particular woman has al
ways been more or less like wit
Messing ones death warrant.
He meets another who, as a sub
stitute for passion, had tried saint
hood. 1t hadn't satisfied. Several
times he is tempted to take ''ths
first train back to sanity" but he
has become too deeply involved in
present-day European intrigues of
a sort that win open the eyes of
the books readers.
Also of a sort that Coningsby
Dawson, who is widely expert
enced, Is In q peculiar position to
disclose. He was born I'm Eng
land, has made his home in this