“‘The portreeve’ is full of interesting material. But the composition seems to be sometimes at the sacrifice of verisimilitude.”
+ – Ath. 1906, 1: 194. F. 17. 430w.
“It lacks the grim tensity of ‘The secret woman,’ the lyric enthusiasm of ‘Children of the mist;’ but on the other hand, it has a more even strength, a greater dignity that comes from reserve force.” Frederic Taber Cooper.
+ – Bookm. 23: 283. My. ’06. 760w.
“One lays down ‘The portreeve’ in astonishment at the inventiveness and ability that can use the same scenes and the same class of people so often, yet with increasing interest.” Charlotte Harwood.
+ Critic. 48: 433. My. ’06. 380w.
“Mr. Phillpotts comes nearer than anyone else to being the legitimate successor of Mr. Hardy as a rustic realist, and he has a considerable measure of the imaginative power which can invest a simple passionate complication with the severe attributes of high tragedy.” Wm. M. Payne.
+ Dial. 40: 364. Je. 1, ’06. 210w.
Reviewed by Mrs. L. H. Harris.
– Ind. 60: 1041. My. 3, ’06. 340w.