“We cannot, with the best will in the world, see in the result more than a task—faithfully and conscientiously performed to the best of the author’s power—but a ‘task accomplished,’ and not even successfully at that. For we feel that it is determination rather than inspiration, strength of will rather than the artist’s compulsion, which has produced ‘The captives.’” K. M.
− Ath p519 O 15 ’20 1150w
“One is especially interested in the environment, but feels a lack of the spontaneity of other Walpole novels.”
+ − Booklist 17:161 Ja ’21
“A long looked-for and worthy successor in the Walpole line. It is bigger in theme than its predecessors, more than ever a novel of life as opposed to the episodic novel.”
+ Bookm 52:369 D ’20 180w
“Its criticism of life in general, and specifically with the elements of life with which it deals, presents a many sided view so that we are able to understand clearly the weaknesses and strength of all the characters. As a chronicle of these times and as a portrayal of people we all may easily come into contact with, it is an eloquent example of the consummate art of a literary artist.” E. F. Edgett
+ Boston Transcript p4 N 13 ’20 1400w
“‘The captives’ makes Mr Walpole’s previous books look like agreeable fragments. For the wealth of substance here is not more notable than the display of architectonic power. ‘The captives’ scarcely ranks below ‘Clayhanger’ and not very greatly below ‘Of human bondage,’ and is, therefore, one of the foremost British novels of the period.”
+ Nation 111:735 D 22 ’20 1050w