How exciting to see this novel back in print. I first came upon this story while patrolling the intricate rivers and canals of the Mekong Delta during the Viet Nam War c. 1968-1969. A public library had donated several books to the ship's library, this enchanting story being one of them. I have since read this hard-to-find book (usually via special searches at the Los Angeles Public Library) several times. This epic novel about the experience of a single woman travelling alone from England to Algeria can best be appreciated when read against the social and cultural contexts of what constituted appropriate behavior for respectable ladies in 1905 England. A young woman travelling unescorted to a far-off exotic land was quite a titillating piece of literature which might not be appreciated from a 2001 perspective. That aside, Robert Hichens' ability to capture the rich historic texture of Algeria at the time, juxtaposed against the deep complexity of one of the novel's primary characters, and the "dark mystery" with which the author so effectively teases the reader through the second half of the story, has not lost its intrigue in the almost 100 years since its writing. The author's talent and sensitivity are displayed in his ability to convey to the reader the hot sultry climate; the din and cacaphony of high-density Algerian cities; the sensuality of romantic and exotic evenings; the rhythms of ethnic Algerian music and the smells of Algerian food wafting through the reader's nostrils. In fact, the author's talent, love and respect for the cultural backdrop of his story can perhaps be more appreciated by today's readers who are more competent at modern global cultural competency efforts. This book is an absolute treasure which delivers a somewhat disappointing denouement only because the shame that in 1905 is the mystery of one of the principle characters, to readers in the second half of the last century, may not only be viewed as not shameful, but perhaps even as liberating. During my first reading of this enchanting work, at the moment when the great shame is disclosed to the reader, because social mores have changed dramatically since this book was written, the revelation was anti-climatic. Nonetheless, the story is as enchanting as it is intriguing. Not only is this book worth the reading; adding this book to your collection is worth the investment; and I guarantee that like me, you will read this book more than once if you are one who enjoys re-visiting earlier literary expereinces. (And yes, from this novel the screenplay for "The Garden of Allah" starring Charles Boyer and Marlene Deitrich was written.)

Chuck Pace, MPH West Hollywood, California

As a satire on the spirit of Oscar Wilde, "The Green Carnation" is definite overkill. Hichens' own epigrammatism lacks the grace and subtlety of Wilde's wit and wisdom, and he drags wall-to-wall his assays into cleverness whether or not they are appropriate to develpment of the context. Disappointing.