“These eight plays have a literary quality and a somewhat philosophical viewpoint that make them as readable as stories. Miss Glaspell writes in a crisp, descriptive style and she shows keen insight into the underlying human motives. ‘Trifles’ is a really great play.”
+ Ind 104:383 D 11 ’20 50w
“The publication of Miss Glaspell’s collected plays at last lifts them out of the tawdriness of their original production and lets them live by their own inherent life. That life is strong, though it is never rich. In truth, it is thin. Only it is thin not like a wisp of straw, but like a tongue of flame.” Ludwig Lewisohn
+ − Nation 111:509 N 3 ’20 1100w
“Miss Glaspell’s style, while not especially distinguished, is entertaining and easy to read.” H. S. Gorman
+ N Y Times 25:22 Jl 18 ’20 250w
“The well-rounded laughter of ‘Suppressed desires’ becomes a trifle more angular in the comedies from a single pen, ‘Woman’s honor,’ and ‘Close the book.’ In all the plays there is a deeper meaning, the presence of an interesting idea or ideal, yet, as in ‘Woman’s honor’ and ‘The outside,’ the idea often remains veiled. ‘Bernice’ may be read with an intensity of thought. Yet, as a play, acted upon a stage, what was intense might easily become monotonous.”
+ − Springf’d Republican p8 O 14 ’20 600w
“For readers who can achieve an artistic perspective in relation to these plays there is satisfaction in finding, after reading and rereading them all, that the big things are the good ones, and that the biggest is the best. It is as if Miss Glaspell hit a far target more easily than one close by.”
+ Theatre Arts Magazine 4:349 O ’20 320w Wis Lib Bul 16:235 D ’20 60w