Page:The Spoils of Poynton (London, William Heinemann, 1897).djvu/317



The National Observer.—'Clever characterisation, natural dialogue, moral sanity, and keen observation and knowledge of the world. . . . The minor characters are as diverse as they are numerous, and there is not a lay figure in the book.'

The Daily News.—'Herbert Vanlennert is good throughout. The analysis of the hero's character is excellent. The story is crowded with minor characters, all clearly individualised and seen in nice relation to their surroundings. There is much power of observation, much knowledge of life and art displayed throughout.'

The Pall Mall Gazette.—'A piece of life and a work of art. . . . Mr. Keary's men and women are solid all through. He is as honest in his presentation of life as Mr. Gissing, but he is more pointed and wittier; he is less witty than Mr. Meredith, but he is more responsible. . . . Mr. Keary's work stands out as a very brilliant piece of honest, knowledgable, wise artistry. We say it deliberately, that there are very few novels of our time that bear so unmistakably the grip of the master-hand as Herbert Vanlennert.'

The St. James's Gazette.—'A novel like this helps us at once to understand, to judge, and to enjoy life; and that is to say that he has written a novel of the kind that only the great novelists write. From time to time there comes a new novel marked by a kind and degree of excellence that compels praise of an emphatic kind. There need be no hesitation about deciding that Herbert Vanlennert is such a book.'

The Review of Reviews.—'In Herbert Vanlennert indeed is a whole little world of living people—friends and acquaintances whom it is not easy to forget.'

The Sketch.—'Full of cleverness and a legitimate realism. Of two of the most strongly marked and skilfully drawn characters, one is Maynard, the artist of genius; the other, a striking contrast to Maynard, is Bernard, who passes a serene existence in the study of metaphysics. Very charming and interesting are Mr. Keary's bright and vivid descriptions of English country life and scenery in Derbyshire.'

St. Paul's.—'The book contains much clever writing, and is in many respects a strong one.'

Black and White.—'There is abundance of skilfully drawn characters and brilliantly sketched incidents, which, once read, cannot be forgotten.'

The Scotsman.—'Mr. Keary, even when he is treading on delicate ground, writes with circumspection and cleverness.'

The Bradford Observer.—'It is a fine piece of art, and should touch its readers to fine issues.'

The Manchester Courier.—'The book is most interesting, and embodies a great deal of careful work, besides some very plain speaking.'


 * WILLIAM HEINEMANN,, W.C.