"'A Son of Israel; an Original Story,' by Rachel Penn, has a dangerous title, for original stories were never common, and are now scarcer than ever, but the characterization is justified by the contents. It is as odd a tale as will often be seen."—Springfield Republican.
"It is an open secret that Rachel Penn, whose first serious venture in fiction, 'A Son of Israel,' is in reality the wife of Mr. E. S. Willard, the well-known English actor. Mrs. Willard was formerly an actress, and, like her husband, began her career under the auspices of the late E. A. Sothern, of Lord Dundreary fame. After playing opposite rôles for several seasons, the two were married, Mrs. Willard retiring soon afterwards from the stage. As she has no children to occupy her thoughts, and lacks the physique to endure the strain of accompanying her husband on his lengthy tours in the United States and elsewhere, Mrs. Willard has for several years devoted much time to literary work."—New York Commercial Advertiser.
"Fine dramatic qualities mark 'A Son of Israel,' which is not to be wondered at when we learn that the supposed author is Mrs. E. S. Willard, wife of the actor, using the pseudonym Rachel Penn. The writer has abandoned the commonplace in devising a plot, and shows literary skill as well as spirit and vivacity in the narration."—Philadelphia Press.
"The story fairly bristles with melodrama, and contains incident enough for any three ordinary books, while a complete list of the dramatis personæ, which range all the way from an ex-ballet dancer to a buyer for an English firm of dealers in curios, and from serfs to the Czarowitz himself, would tax the limits of the longest handbill."—New York Commercial Advertiser.
"'A Son of Israel' is a timely book. Of peculiar interest now, the book will be read, appreciated, and condemned. It is a novel of feeling, a novel built out of the suffering sympathy of a woman's heart for the oppressed of her people and of her God."—Chattanooga Times.
J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY, PHILADELPHIA.
By Mrs. Lindon W. Bates.