Selections collected from the dramatic criticisms of Bernard Shaw during 1895–1898 when he sat with the “critical mighty and filled his eyes and ears with bad, mad, and mediocre plays.” So says Mr. James Huneker in his prefatory “Word.” Also, “Here is a plethora of riches. Remember, too, that when Shaw wrote the criticisms in this volume he was virginal to fame. It is his best work, the very best of the man. It contains his most buoyant prose, the quintessence of Shaw. His valedictory is incomparable. He found that after taking laughing gas he had many sub-conscious selves. He describes them.”
“The drama in America is about ten years behind that of England, and we are passing thru a transition period similar to that when these ‘Opinions’ were written, so they are especially pertinent.”
+ Ind. 61: 1498. D. 20, ’06. 470w.
“Contains a large amount of entertaining matter. It is doubtful, however, whether the collection will prove beneficial to his reputation.”
+ – Nation. 83: 490. D. 6, ’06. 460w.
“A more or less patent examination of these essays has convinced at least one reader that they show flippancy, verbosity, unbounded egotism, and that they fail to rise above the pretentious mediocrity.”
– N. Y. Times. 11: 898. D. 22, ’06. 290w.
Shaw, George Bernard. Irrational knot. $1.50. Brentano’s.
“In brief, it is the raw, inexperienced venture of an immensely witty person, formless in a way, full of pith, full of promise.” Mary Moss.