“There is at least one person in the book—Mrs. Phillimore—which is a well conceived and convincing character. This is the best thing in the way of character study that Mr. Oppenheim has done. His hero is a weak man, and most of the other characters are far from taking the flesh and bone of reality.”
| + − | N. Y. Times. 12: 510. Ag. 24, ’07. 460w. | |
| N. Y. Times. 12: 655. O. 19, ’07. 20w. |
“The story is readable enough, but not of great importance.”
| + | Outlook. 87: 44. S. 7, ’07. 160w. |
Oppenheim, Edward Phillips. [Malefactor.] †$1.50. Little.
7–984.
One finds In the malefactor of Mr. Oppenheim’s story a companion study to the hero of his “Prince of sinners.” Grown ascetic and bitter during a period of unjust imprisonment, Sir Wingrave Seaton, at the end of his confinement, slips into the world incognito for purposes of revenge. His nature is too generous to permit him to carry out his scheme of injury. Under the mask of indifference, even cruelty, he is a philanthropist. After numerous logical digressions the love interest shapes itself into a typical bachelor’s romance.
| A. L. A. Bkl. 3: 79. Mr. ’07. |
“Had Mr. Oppenheim been content to make the outcome of the story a little less obvious from the beginning, the novel would have gained in strength.” Amy C. Rich.