[Editor: This advertisement (consisting of reviews) for the book Dert and Do, by Louisa Lawson, was published in “The Lonely Crossing” and Other Poems (1905).]
“Dert and Do.”
(Gert and Joe.)
By Louisa Lawson.
Price: One shilling.
Reviews —
“Dert and Do,” by Louisa Lawson (the “Dawn” Newspaper Office, Sydney). — This is a charming little story, which introduces two very interesting little folks, of whom the writer seems to have made a study. Their pretty ways and original sayings keep the reader thoroughly amused. There are touches of pathos, too, in the story, and altogether it is an effective little work. — “Queenslander.”
A dainty little volume. The story, which is essentially Australian, is a pathetic one, relating as it does to the trials of a widow and her two small children. The latter are a very amusing pair, and one cannot but feel a grudge towards their author tor bringing their little lives to so rapid and tragic a conclusion; but to atone for this she provides a satisfactory ending to the trials of their brave and devoted mother. It must also be added that the type is clear and good, and the binding neat and attractive. — “Town and Country Journal.”
“Dert and Do” will do no discredit to Australian fiction, especially to that part of it which is what we may call “Christmassy.” But there is tragedy, guilt, and not noisy, but deep and still tragedy, mingled with the happiness which terminates “Dert and Do.” —“Evening News.”
This short tale from the pen of the Editress of the “Dawn” tends to show that Mrs. Lawson might meet Ethel Turner with success on ground the latter has made her own, for “Dert” and “Do” are creations — Australian children who are childlike and natural. The reader who takes up this well-written story will find promise that if the authoress worked the vein of fiction to the end she would produce good results. — “Maitland Mercury.”
A pretty holiday story. In “Dert and Do” Mrs. Lawson presents a not pretentious but pretty little story relating the sweetening influences of Christmastide. The main interest of the story — which has instead of high literary style only a sympathetic human note, struck with a kindly pen — is centred in the companionship between a grown man and the two children of his landlady; and in this case certainly “out of the mouths of babes comes wisdom.” — “Freeman’s Journal.”
“Dert and Do,” by Louisa Lawson, a tale of childlife, with an adult love story running through it, and a spice of Christmas flavouring. The child conversations have considerable charm, and the children are very human. — “Sunday Times.”
A pretty little tale of children and Santa Claus. Mrs. Lawson has all a woman’s power of observation and talent for realistic description. — “Bulletin.”
A little story, which first appeared in the pages of “The Dawn,” of two quaint little Australian children, and their hardworking mother. The children are jolly little beings, and one feels that their tragical fate is undeserved. A concession is, however, made to those who love a happy ending — and who does not, in a world where there is so much weeping over real griefs — in the second marriage of the mother, whose early life had been overcrowded with misfortunes. — “Englishwoman’s Review.”
Source:
Louisa Lawson, “The Lonely Crossing” and Other Poems, Sydney: Dawn Office, [1905], pp. [97-98]
Editor’s notes:
editress = a female editor
Ethel Turner = (1870-1958) author (especially of children’s literature, including the popular novel Seven Little Australians); she was born in 1870 in Doncaster (England), migrated to Australia in 1879, and died in Mosman (NSW) in 1958
pathetic = something which evokes feelings of sadness or sorrow (can also refer to something which is considered inadequate, inferior, or beneath contempt)
pathos = compassion or pity; or an experience, or a work of art, that evokes feelings of compassion or pity
[Editor: Changed “pretty littie tale” to “pretty little tale”; added a full stop after “Santa Claus”; added a full stop after “Bulletin” (in line with the style re. the other publications).]
Leave a Reply