'The main business of the evening was then proceeded with - 5 mins essays upon some book read recently.
Mrs Evans read 'An English Lumber Camp' - from internal evidence it is probably true that this was an essay drawn from real life rather than from any book read. It was a magnificent literary effort in the author's best style. Perhaps more of 'H.M.W.' than 'Ashton Hillier'.
Mrs Smith read a paper upon 'The Garden of Survival' a book by Alg. Blackwood. The paper gave rise to much interest. The extraordinary beauty of the extracts read from the book and the insight into the spiritual meaning of 'Guidance' displayed by the author impressed us all.
Ernest E. Unwin read a paper on 'The End of a Chapter' by Shane Leslie - this paper was written by H.M. Wallis & introduced most of us to a new writer of power. The change in the world, in the balance of the classes & their future importance formed the theme of the book.
Mary Hayward described her discovery of 'The Story of my Heart' by Richard Jefferies & read some extracts from it.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Ann Smith Print: Book
'The other book which I am denying myself to write to YOU, yes YOU of all people is
from the library by Blackwood called "Uncle Paul". Oh, I have never read anything like it,
except perhaps "The Lore of Proserpine. When you have got it out of your library and read
how Nixie and Uncle Paul get into a dream together and went to a primaeval forest at dawn to
"see the winds awake" and how they went to the "Crack between yesterday and tomorrow you
will agree with me.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Clive Staples Lewis Print: Book
(1) 'This week's new purchase consisted of ... "John Silence" in the 7d. edition.... It fairly
swept me off my feet, so that on Saturday night I hardly dared to go upstairs. I left off - until
next weekend - in the middle of the "Nemesis of Fire" Oh, Arthur, aren't they priceless?
Particularly the "Ancient Sorceries" one, which I think I shall remember all my life.'(2) 'I have
now finished that adorable... "John Silence": I still think "Ancient Sorceries" the best, though
indeed all, particularly the "Fire" one, are glorious. In the last one the opening part, all about
those lovely Northern Islands and the camp life wouldn't you love to go there? is so very
beautiful that you feel almost sorry to have the supernatural dragged in. Though the idea of
the were-wolf is splendid. At what point of the story did you begin to guess the truth?'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Clive Staples Lewis Print: Book
(1) 'I have also bought a 7d. Macmillan book by Algernon Blackwood called "Jimbo, a fantasy".
Although you have never mentioned it, I dare say you know there is such a book - I never
heard of it myself. I am keeping it to read in the train when I go back (Friday night), but I
have to restrain myself every moment it looks so awfully appetizing.' (2) 'I finished it on
Sunday and am awfully bucked with it a very good 7d. worth. It is quite in Blackwood's best
manner, and you will specially love the last thirty pages or so they are terrific.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Clive Staples Lewis Print: Book
'Tell Sylvia that when I came back [from Norfolk a
week before] I read the rest of "Uncle Pauls
Education" and that though there are beautiful
things in it and a beautiful idea running through
the whole of it I dont altogether like it.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: William Henry Hudson Print: Book
