“One feels compelled to protest against any confusion of the greatness of ‘Il santo’ as a piece of brilliant polemics, a powerful theological brief, with its worth as a novel. Frankly, it is not a great novel; it is too defective in technique, it lacks on the one hand the rugged simplicity of Verga, on the other the melodious rhythm and artistic proportions of d’Annunzio. Nevertheless, it remains one of the most interesting human documents that have come from Italy in the last quarter century.” Frederic Taber Cooper.
+ + – Bookm. 24: 261. N. ’06. 1760w.
“Very acceptable English version now given us.” Wm. M. Payne.
+ + Dial. 41: 281. N. 1, ’06. 1180w. Ind. 61: 1159. N. 15, ’06. 60w. Lit. D. 33: 858. D. 8, ’06. 100w.
“Fogazzaro’s Italian is not the highly poetical medium manipulated by Gabriele d’Annunzio. It is saner, simpler, and more direct, while the wide sympathy, kindness of heart, and light, wholesome humor of Fogazzaro incite, maintain, and develop the reader’s respect.” Walter Littlefield.
+ N. Y. Times. 11: 496. Ag. 11, ’06. 2800w.
“The book has gained a place of power among the factors of coming change.”
+ Outlook. 84: 283. S. 29, ’06. 1430w.
“It appeals to the intelligence and to the religious instincts on every page.”
+ + Putnam’s. 1: 224. N. ’06. 340w.