“There is probably little, if any, great dramatic poetry throughout the multitude of scenes; but there is some good, and a great deal of passable verse; there is some excellent prose; and there is a continuous manifestation of imagination and intelligence for which I am glad to acknowledge myself deeply grateful.” W. P. Trent.
+ + – Forum. 38: 86. Jl. ’06. 4150w.
“‘The dynasts’ is a gloomy and powerful epic, but it is not a drama.”
+ – Ind. 60: 807. Ap. 5, ’06. 320w. (Review of pt. 2.) Lit. D. 32: 609. Ap. 21, ’06. 1580w. (Review of pt. 2.)
“There can be no possible question of the importance and high literary excellence of his latest book. ‘The dynasts’ is a work of exceptional power. It is a thing compact with imagination.”
+ + Lond. Times. 5: 49. F. 16, ’06. 2120w. (Review of pt. 2.) + – Nation. 82: 325. Ap. 19, ’06. 530w. (Review of pt. 2.) N. Y. Times. 11: 132. Mr. 3, ’06. 270w. (Editorial on pt. 2.)
“This work has in it the substance, in short, of a true prose masterpiece. Mr. Hardy has nothing of the poet in him.” H. W. Boynton.
+ – N. Y. Times. 11: 160. Mr. 17, ’06. 1910w. (Review of pt. 2.)
“It is absolutely hopeless as a poem.”
– Outlook. 82: 808. Ap. 7, ’06. 260w. (Review of pt. 2.)