Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-14

Nothing is impossible in world
l where q book written in 1898 and
| quickly forgotten can be republished IN
| 1880 to the tune Of public acclaim.
Memories and Vagaries," by DR.. Axel
Munthe, whose recent and delightful
STORY of San Michele" has charmed
/ the civilized world, deserves to see the
light Of public recognition.
It Is Of a piece with the leter book Of
"reminiscences, containing the same
characters, the same fine note OF Senti-
I ment without the slightest touch OF
! sentimentality, the same understanding
mind and heart.
All those who love "The Story Of San
Michele" which contains the best Eng
lish prose written in many, many years,
will want a copy of this new book.
They will be amazed, somewhat
amused and slightly indignant to learn
from the book itself that 1t was written
| so long ago and permitted by an unap-
preciative public to lapse into OBJ
| security.
| Here is a romance of publishing II
there ever was one!
Think Of a man 10 years old, sud-
denly popping up with q world wide
best seller" which was such q peculiar
combination Of wit, kindness, supreme
common sense and daring that Il be-
came almost instantly a sacred book
with all who read 1t.
The publishers Dutton) have indi-
Gated that they, more than any one
were amazed with the overwhelming de-
which has carried 1t through IS Amer
lean editions, and which is still going
strong.
1t is no secret in the book trade that
the first edition, published almost two
years ago, was put out at So copy GS
a travel book" with the expectation
that the 5000 copies would not be sold.
Not only were all 5000 sold, but sold
quickly, and there was an incessant call
for more. So the $3.75 edition was put
on the market, still without fanfare OF
advertising trumpets.
The book has drawn some of the most
extravagantly favorable notices from
critics ever received. Thousands of
readers felt that here at last, amid the
welter of books, was one addressed to
them personally.
Here at last was book which dealt
with the strong theme of death with
out a quaver, without an evasion, in
words of honeyed sweetness reminding
"EcclesiaSticus" than Of anything else
in literature.
Yet the common note of everyday,
the hundred and one small things
which most writer's deign to put into
words, found perfect expression in Eng
lish prose Of an individualistic turn
utterly unlike anything with which the
reading public was acquainted
This supreme book, this STORY Of
San Michele" which now has its adj
herents by the thousands. who swear
it is the best book written in hun
dred years, q thousand years. some en-
thusiasts say 1000 years. this San
Michele" is a book Of dreams, story
book for adults.
Men and women readers become as
little children again when first they
read it. For time they 60 around
as in q dream. They bore their friends
with words of praise. Then, later, in
variably comes reaction, as reaction
must come from deep enthusiasm.
Perhaps they become q bit ashamed
of their whole-hearted appreciation of
q good book, an almost perfect book,
and tend to stop talking about it. Well,
perhaps that is best. There are some
experiences, in reading as in life, shout
which one does not care to talk, be-
cause the emotions aroused are too
deep for words.
y 4 4
When we were all saying Remember
the Maine" Q young European doctor
with a fair for the interesting In life