“Though marred toward the end by that longwindedness which is his besetting sin, it is exceptionally amusing.”
+ − N Y Times 25:190 Ap 18 ’20 60w
“Mr Mackenzie may object to the expression: ‘this well known author writes in an entirely new vein’ but it seems to fit the occasion. He handles his hero with affectionate jocularity bordering on farce. Yet the complete picture of John Touchwood is fine, human and lovable—perhaps just because of its convincing defects.” Doris Webb
+ Pub W 97:994 Mr 20 ’20 260w
“It was with some trepidation that we opened ‘Poor relations.’ Our delight was therefore doubly great on finding no taint of the Scarlett novels marring its pages. Quite early in the book the principal character remarks: ‘This passion for realism is everywhere.... Thank goodness, I’ve been through it and got over it and put it behind me for ever.’ Let us pray that he is speaking with the voice of his creator.”
+ Sat R 128:319 O 4 ’19 1150w
“This is an ingenious and at times diverting recital, bordering on extravaganza, but not too remotely detached from reality to be incredible, and not too malicious in its satire to be unenjoyable.”
+ Spec 123:865 D 20 ’19 400w
“‘Poor relations’ is engagingly light-hearted in all its phases, with a discernible grain of reality beneath the shell of comedy and satire.”
+ Springf’d Republican p13a My 2 ’20 600w