Evening star., 1935-11-03
MAD GENIUS LEGEND FADES
Artist Revealed Shy Impractical and Nrvously Irritable
Character-Mrs. Deand Recalls Her Childhood -Ho-
kusais Story Well Told-Asias Darkness Impresses
Traveller.

in due proportion, and not center too
closely about the capital I. Men. al
though so vastly more egotistic in ac-
tion, usually realize this in writing.
1t is an unhappy paradox that women
should allow themselves to appear Sc
unjustly in the lasting records.
This fault is not at all times ap-
parent In Mrs. Gilman's book, but
when it does occur it is irritating. 1t
is to be found chiefly in her reporting
of irrelevant personal matters, al
though at times it also is conveyed by
an affected style which is, one feels,
unworthy. Much of the effect, to be
sure, is Offset by Zona Gales eloquent
foreword. But then-MisS Gale is a
writer first and woman afterward.
EXPRESS TO THE EAST. BY A. den
Doolard. Translated from the
Dutch by David c. De Jong. New
York: Harrison Smith and Robert
Haas.
THIS novel is described by its pub
Usher as being the current success
in Germany and Holland. 1t may be
the fault of the inevitable weakening
OF any text by translation, but the
book In the English version has a dis
tant quality which makes it seem un-
likely that it will duplicate that pop
ularity in this country. However, it
is a fine, heroic story and deserves
mention.
It deals with the struggle Of the
Macedonians for freedom. first from
the Turks and then from the Serbs.
1t begins with the revolt of 1906 and
carries the historical outline of the
conflict up until the present.
While the story is founded on facts,
it has colorful and romantic quail
ity. However, as the characters are all
subordinated to the idea Of Mace
donian liberty, and as few American
readers are likely to be able to achieve
more than a tepid interest in that
idea, the romance is hardly sufficient
to make the history live. The book be-
comes a sort of treatise, in spite of the
bold outline of its story and the liv-
ing quality of some of its men and
women.
There may possibly be some signifi-
canoe in the fact that novel founded
on the glorif1cation of nationalism
should be enjoying German sue
cess. The American reader, however,
probably will find that the passages
describing the patriotic passions of
ha
is smaller than any of our States have
a curiously archaic sound. And this,
possibly, may be of even greater sig
nificance.
HANDS. BY Charles G. Norris. New
York: Farrar g. Rinehart.
THE Norris family made a splendid
contribution to American letters
in the work of Frank, whose MASTER
pieces, although somewhat dated by
the fashion of the social conscience
which he totherwise fine artist) felt
impelled to include in them, are among
our lasting novels. But Frank Norris
died in the early part of the century
and since then other members of the
family have gone right on writing.
Katherine brings unmistakable
pleasure to thousands of readers with
her joyous tales of true love and its
difficulties. And her husband. Franks
brother, from time to time produces
thick work with a serious Jacket
blurb and an aggressive, uncomprom-
Using title. Pig Iron," Brass"
Bread" salt" and Seed" have been
some of these past volumes. Now Mr.
Norris brings out Hands," which is a
story of an American family through
three generations. The significance of
the title is that while the son, in the
prosperous middle years, amassed
fortune, grandpa began with his hands
and junior, after 1929, was compelled
to do likewise.
It is an earnest work to which no
exception can possibly be taken.
MY COUNTRY AND MY PEOPLE.
BY Dr.. Lin Yutang New York:
A John Day Book, Reynal g.
Hitchcock.
THIS is a book about China, written
by a Chinaman. More than that,
it is written by Chinaman who.
after looking the Western world over,
has decided to remain Chinese. He
is urbane about it, he is courteous, he
is even good humored. But he is firm.
He does not wish to be like anybody.
He prefers to be himself. In this day
one will not exclaim at this What
an amazing Chinaman!" One will say,
rather, What an amazing mani"
It is a mellow and fine book that
he has written for us, to give us this
declaration of his faith. And with true
Oriental obligingness, DR.. Lin Yutang
has not confined himself to declara-
tions. Having decided to have none
of us, he explains what it is he will