“While ‘The light heart’ is far less interesting and far less stirring than either ‘Gudrid the fair’ or ‘The outlaw,’ it has one truly splendid moment—that in which Thormod swears his allegiance for life and death to King Olaf.”
+ − N Y Times 25:291 Je 6 ’20 900w
“I confess that for me the starkness, the frugality, the astringency of this tale render it a tougher morsel than some of the Norse fables Mr Hewlett has previously wrought from similar materials. For his sources he shows a reverence almost excessive.” H. W. Boynton
+ − Review 3:110 Ag 4 ’20 340w
“The story is good and unusual. But above all we would commend Mr Hewlett’s short introduction on the nature of the Sagas.”
+ Sat R 130:40 Jl 10 ’20 100w
“The story has retained the legendary atmosphere of the twelfth century Iceland and Norway. The book is written with Hewlett’s usual romantic touch. It is interesting mainly on account of the unusual setting and the strangeness of the characters treated. The author sacrifices plot to faithfulness to his sources.”
+ Springf’d Republican p11a Je 20 ’20 480w
“Colloquial and prosaic though the telling is—prosaic even in describing dreams and visions—there shines through it a spirit which is high and beautiful.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p255 Ap 22 ’20 1000w