“To his close study of the sources we owe the thousand vivid historical details that are woven into the vigorous give and take of the dialogue with fine, dramatic and poetic effect. In the matter of structure, however, there is a question whether Mr. Torrence’s play has not lost its effectiveness through his endeavor to give the whole story as it is in the books.” Ferris Greenslet.
| + − | Atlan. 100: 847. D. ’07. 620w. |
“It is not without infelicities, verbal and rhythmical, but its movement is, on the whole, stately and impressive.” Wm. M. Payne.
| + − | Dial. 42: 252. Ap. 17, ’07. 640w. |
“Nor can it be said that the poet’s style has changed for the better. There is a general air of strain; his metaphors frequently pall before he has done with them, and his metre has a way of being so free as to be crabbed.” H. W. Boynton.
| − + | No. Am. 185: 86. My. 3, ’07. 1440w. |
“Is disappointing when one reflects upon what one demands of so high a theme. The ejaculatory method of speech in the first twenty pages is nothing less than exasperating, and one wonders if no one will ever stand still long enough to utter a finished sentence. The character of Abelard is so weak and vacillating as to make the love of Heloise seem unworthy.” Louise Collier Willcox.
| − | No. Am. 186: 96. S. ’07. 120w. |
“The difficulties presented by this famous love story are so great as to be almost insuperable. Mr. Torrence has met them with courage and with tact.”
| + − | Outlook. 86: 453. Je. 29, ’07. 500w. |