Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1922-08-18
sUMMED-UP LITERARY LIGHTS

Raymond G.. Carroll, literary correspondent for the
Philadelphia Public Ledger, submitted in a recent article,
a list OF books that he reports have been compiled by a
large wholesale New York firm as being the 1922 fic-
ton that will reach and enter the 100000 class and then
climb higher still. He gives the books in the order of their
excellence, as Is given below:
This Freedom by A. NJ. S. Hutchinson; "The Coun-
try Byond", by James Oliver Curwood; Charles Rex" by
Ethel II. Dell; in the Days of Poor Richard" by Irving
Bachelor; The Shadow Of the East by f. NJ. Hull;
Flowing Gold, by Rex Beach; Fair Harber', by Joseph
c, Lincoln; Robin" by Frances Hodgson Brunette; THE
Tale Of Triona', by William J. Locke; "Cappy Kicks
Retired" by Peter B. Kyne; Rabbit" by Sinclare Lewis;
"The Breaking Point" by second place, then "The Glimpse
of the Moon by Edith Wharton.
And again in this same article is found a list Of the
writers who are said to have "big names" Those are
given as, Robert Beabie, Achmed AbduIla, Edna Ferber.
Edgar Burroughs, Rene Maran, Frederick Grin Bartlett,
Joseph Hergesheimer, Robert Hichens, Hugh Walpole,
Temple Bailey, Rober, W. Chambers, Z. Philips Open,
hem, Basil King, W. l.. George, ". +. Maxwell, and Sara
Ware Bassett.
Now this is seemingly a good list, both as to 1922 books,
and the modern manufacturer Of tales, in fact, so far as
positive knowledge Of the books mentioned, some of which
are familiar, or of the list Of authors, some of whom read
like the names Of old friends, while others win from us
the stare Of complete unrecognition both lists can be pro-
nounced emphatically good oncs-the unknown resting on
the merits. of the known, being given a place along side.
But 1t is just as emphatically true that some books and
authors that are just as good, and just as deserving of
emblazoned publicity have been entirely left off of the
list. There is Arthur Stringer, who created the charact-
ers in "Ihe Prairie Wife" "The Prairie Mother" and "The
Prairie Child" who would not appear out Of place at the
very head of any list Of modern writer's, for in his works
tHtl' - q pdlHOS VI UNDERSTANDING u Je enOLlOnS or the
human heart that is unequaled by any writer of this day.
He reads the passions that govern the soul, he applies the
philosophy Of clear understanding to his case, and then
he tells his tales with a touch that is nothing short of
masterfuI with no ramification of words, and no gaudy
frills of fancy rhetaric futtering on the breeze of his
narrative. His piquant style marks him as apart from all
writers of nowadays fiction. His prairie Child,' that
is a sort of a sub-sequal to "The Prairie Wife" is like the
others of this series, filled with an understanding of the
physic as governing human life, and he portrays the heart
burning conflicts of each of the characters with a warmth
thal makes 1t a true, every day life story.
me quaint Whimsy of rhumor that runs through the
tragic %sordidness of everyday Occurrences makes these
books charmingly realistic and readable. So, though we
leave the list as it stands, coming from the judgement Of
the afore-named august firm, we top it with the wholly
Justlflable addition Of "The Prairie Child" and heading
the list of noteworthy authors, with out apology, we place
the name of Arthur Stringer.
There are also other names that have been overlooked in
the gathering together Of this bunch of literary celebrities.
Among them should surely have been the name Of Booth
Harrington, the friend of the young people as well as of
the old, who so easily wears the mantle of the immortal
Mark Twain. Also, there should have been the name of
Nina Wilcox Putnam, who possesses the gift of whimsical
story spinning that is delightfully."- refreshing and easily
places her among the prominent in the profession.