TRANSIT NEW BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY Church Book Title: Song of Bernadette Author: Franz Werfel THE faith of a fifteen year old peasant girl permitted to see visions of "Her Lady" is the theme of Franz Werfel's latest book, The Song of Bernadette. With a European setting the book is apt to appear to the reader a little overdone and one is aware that there is perhaps a little bit too much church and state history in the story, which unduly lengthens the book. However, Mr. Werfel's technique of presenting "miracles" through the eyes of this young girl allows the reader a freedom of interpretation. This, coupled with a broad background of French'Catholic culture, builds a suitable atmosphere for a vivid song of faith and idealism. By Maxine Hedges. They Were Expendable Title: They Were Expendable Author: William L. White "IN a war anything can be expendable, money, or gasoline, or equipment, or most usually men." This is the theme of the first book to tell the story of Bataan and Corregidor; the tale of men who knew they were expendable and yet remained to fight. The story itself is authentic being told by four men who were there operating M.T.B. boats. William L. White is skillful in connecting the narratives of these men so that the story is complete, smooth, and always interesting. In spite of the grimness of the war itself, the book is exciting and takes on the aspects of an adventure story, even providing a tender love interest. This mood changes, however, with the evacuation of Corregidor, and the relating of the tragic story of the bitterly desperate men who watched their more valuable fellow fighters flown to safety as they were left to be "expended." By Wealthy Purrington. Ghost Story Title: The Uninvited Author: Dorothy MacArdle THE Uninvited deals with supernatural beings in a haunted English country house. Each character has a distinctive personality. For example, Stella, a wistful pathetic girl who has moulded her life to conform with her ideal of her War Story Title: Signed With Their Honour Author: James Aldridge "Born of the sun they travelled towards the sun, And left the vivid air signed with their honour." PROMOTING the theme of these significant words of Stephen Spender, and introducing a plot revolving about the conflict between the countries of Greece, Italy and Germany, Signed With Their Honour by James Aldridge deserves to be called one of the outstanding volumes of the war. Portraying the life of the RAF above the Grecian territory, this book tells the story of the German invasion and the hasty Grecian evacuation, a picture of Greek life previous to the German invasion, and does not fail to present the romantic side which the reader of novels enjoys. Air battles and the aviator's ardent struggle for survival in the cockpit find a channel for expression in pages of captivating, yet simple, expression. Touches of intimacy among the soldiers and fellow fighters offer a pleasing contrast. The love affair and marriage of John Quayle and Helen Stagou, hero and heroine, adds an appealing touch in the midst of military action. By DeLore Williams. 36 WINTER, 1943 Bemelmans writes best about quaint pathetic little people who are social misfits. His newest book, I Love You I Love You I Love You, the story of his travels, is full of the uncannily accurate descriptions of personality his readers have come to expect. Who could ever forget the old duchess with the "Roquefort face", or her dog "an asthmatic and dribbly Pekinese with eyes completely outside its head?" Or, for that matter, his four-year-old daughter's nursemaid, a retired Parisian footpad names Georges? I Love You I Love You I Love You is characterized by the distinctive Bemelmans humor, salty and European, with a wry sophistication and a deceptive simplicity of expression. It is a thoroughly delightful book which could have been written only by a person unconventional enough to feed his setter caviar and red wine, decorate restaurant walls, and wash dishes at the Ritz. By Joan Allred. CONTINUED ON PAGE 39 mother. Also, Pamela, willful and headstrong, yet tenderly loving and courageous. The author is particularly skillful in giving the two spirits decided characteristics. She accomplishes this by detailed description of the atmosphere produced by each and by the reactions of the living characters to each spirit. The author's adeptness in creating cold suspense leaves even the sanest of readers wondering, "Could it have happened?" By Joe Jensen. A Call to Romance Title: Frenchman's Creek Author: Daphne Du Maurier FRENCHMAN'S CREEK is a book of escape for those thwarted readers whose souls have cried out for adventure and have been answered only by the monotony of convention. In this book, Miss Du Maurier deals with an almost impossibly unreal story of a gallant pirate and a lovely woman who forsook her husband and children to go sailing with him on the seas of adventure, and it is only with careful technique and skill that the book becomes not a trite sentimental novel, but a delightful romance. The author brings her characters back to reality as they realize that romance is not all of life; and the end of the book concludes the adventure for them as well as for the reader. By Wealthy Purrington. Entertainment for Today Title: Rainbow at Dusk Author: Emilie Loring AS a book with the sole purpose of entertainment, Rainbow at Dusk is most successful. It is a timely little novel concerning the recent problems of war production, soldiers, and women in defense. As it is primarily a romantic novel, the book has a beautiful heroine, a handsome, misunderstood army officer hero, two or three varieties of villains, and several accessory characters whose purpose is to complicate the plot. The outcome of the intrigue which motivates the story is, for all its mystery and suspense, disappointing, and it does not seem to merit the importance which Miss Loring has attached to it. Furthermore, the story continues beyond its natural end. Otherwise, Rainbow at Dusk is a well-written charming book presenting recent problems in a light, though entertaining way. By Wealthy Purrington. Bemelmans Humor Title: I Love You, I Love You Author: Ludwig Bemelmans LUDWIG BEMELMANS looks like a Dutch brewer and he writes books that surprise even himself. Grown-ups insist on reading his children's stones and eyes widen at his extravagant and incredible drawings. 37