Evening star., 1927-10-09

mark of modern marriage with the
social idlers and playfolks of the mo-
ment. The book steps out as a whole,
however, a characteristic Wharton
novel-well knit in structure, suave in
spirit. politely ironic. subtly sardonic-
a capable, well-bred gesture toward
predominant aspect of modern social
life.
Why-and this is quite an aside
does not ETHAN Frome" stand in the
list of Edith Wharton's novels? 1t is
by all odds her best book, clearly from
every point of view her most distin-
guished achievement. Why?
MY JOURNEY TO LHASA. BY
Alexandra David -Ncel. Illustrated
with photographs. New York:
Harper & Bros.
THE forbidden thing is invariably
an object of special desire. One
wonders if this fundamental reac-
ton Of human nature does not in
good measure account for the ire
sistible lure of the forbidden city Of
Lhasa to adventurous travellers of
certain stripe. Clearly the lure ex-
lists with all sorts of reasons, more
or less substantial. for penetrating
the long seclusion Of this outpost of
the lIimalayas. More travellers are
seeking out Lhasa. More writer's are
giving personal accounts Of this par
ticu!ar achievement. My Journey
to Lhasa" bears the distinction Of
entrance into the forbidden city. 1t
is personal account of persistence.
of courage, of many inventions in
the way of new roles and new de-
vices whose single aim was to fur
ther the business in hand. Beyond
this point is the story of experience
within the city walls. And beyond
this stands the fact that other wom-
en- and men have been shown the
way to obtrude themselves into a
place where they are not wanted.
The prime part Of this adventure
lies in the effort involved in reaching
Lhasa. Here IS danger for those
who court hazard. Here is the chance
to play many parts in order to reach
the goal. Now beggar, now a
peasant laborer. now a trader, here
this and here that to evade suspicion
and detection, since either might or
would cut short the enterprise in
a manner not altogether desirable. to
say nothing of its effectually block
ing the outcome. An easy writer.
and modest, too, the author tells why
she set out for Lhasa and then i'm
mediately falls into an account Of the
strenuous and eXacting job of getting
there. A great many photographs
point the text with Interpretation
and illumination. A prime GUITAR
ing-not for a woman. but for a man.
size man as well-whose record Of
fers both fresh information and keen
enjoyment to the reader.
THE LANDS OF THE sun. BY
Mary Austin, author of 1.-The Ar
row Maker" etc. Boston: HouSh-
ton, MifTln Co.
WORDS dipped in the pigment OF
" an old and abiding love serve
Mary Austin here in portrayal of
the lovely face of California. And as
with the pictures of all true artists,
this one evokes feelings and desires
and dreams that seem to be indie.
| pendent of colors and compositions.
| One sees and smells and hears and
feels the Golden State is it's mountains
and rivers and coast lines and border.
| ing sea pass by under the power of
this authors hand, under the divining
effect of her intimacies with this
stretch of earth There is in this book
not only satisfying accuracy about
the natural features of California, but
there is, too. in remarkable SYM
pathy, gathering up of the whole,
as body. as n soul-the two COM
bined as are the body and spirit of
man, to signify something different
from either. to project completeness
of effect that lifts the reader far be.
yond geographical fact or historical
significance. A writer of originality
and strength, Mary Austin has here
turned her hand to the most delicate
and penetrating of artistry for the
sake of. portraying the features of her
beloved California as these exist in
her own heart and as these exist in