Intermountain Jewish news., 1926-04-15
Views and Reviews
by MARTIN GOl.DE
Descendant Of Spaiu--on the Spanish Main
lBlack Ivory, by roian Banks. Harper 4 Bro,

tBlack ivory. by poian Banks. Harper 4 Brosl
one is surprised thar this decade cannot be called
the OF the historical romance" would seem that
The movies would induce the writing of these
novels describing the glory and power Of past
nges. The routine society that now hold sway
over the yielding slightly however more
Intriguing episodes of romantic centuries Tn
fortunately for the author OF contemporary historical
romance he always be accused ST adapting his plot
and detail the needs of the movies. 1t has become
quite correct for the literary critic to characterize novel
us nodded for the screen
Black Ivory by Polan Banks must suffer from the
cynicsm born OF the reign of the magnatcs 1t is
swift it romantic, it is daring, it is imaginative
engruSsin in its endless of adventures and
triumphs Banks has chosen era. which, II only
ably well handled lose its primitive appeal.
The New Orleans of 1872 the period OF conflict between
the Creolc and the invading Americans days the
British invnson the last reverbcratios of the
pirates The back for BLACK Ivory" is concerned
with the slave smuggling answer the edct
of the United Stes Government that traffic in slaves
must The title of the novel describes dusiy
crnsing African and West Indian natives that sold
the New Orleans auction blocks the markets
Graudc Tcrrc the locale of Banks novel.
The story describes life Jean I.afittc. whose
career is nodded by the premature death of his
heart shot accidentally while Laittc duels with who
has nSucd his Lzette Only piracy assuagc laittes
grief He and his brother Pierre Dominique finally avcngc
the death of Iizcte As a New Orleans piratccrsman
establishes himself of the feared factors the
Creole city until price is placed his head by the
louisiana Governor The battle OF New Orleans during
which Jcn distinguished himself jackson brings
amnesty to Latte and his pirate community The death
Of Pierre wins for Jean the girl whom they had both loved
Holah Banks has yet to learn the of restraint.
Imas native writing be synonymous his mind,
with blood ?curllng eptcts and hairrasng olurgatons
At tines his descriptions resemble the ueashcd patudes
Of the dime novel artists He delights in speaking of his
brow black his eyes like flaming Goals"
similar phrases permitted the author of first novel;
Fortunately for Banks this is his first attempt lengthy
fiction
Through his mother, who Jeanne Isabel Poan of
Baltimore Banks is descended from the famous Ahravanc
family, so Abrabanc and Abarbaue), which is dcscrib
ed 10y llarpcr One of the best known families of
Middle Ages. which, according the Encyclopedia Brit
tanica and most other encycopcdiac actually descended
from the bilica royal house Of David.
The Ahravuncls celebrated for producing many
noted statesmen writer's mahematicias, philosophers,
court physicians and biblical commentators the
prominent perhaps. Don Isaac Abravanc, Portuguese
grandce fed Portugal to his head because of political
troubles Spain where he became Minister Of Finance
Ferdinand and Isabella for eight years. his Of Office
coming end in 1192. shortly Columbus discov
cred America
The foregoing bhrb is one of the interesting that