“To the accentuated reappearance in this book of the unmodern style which characterized Dr. Luke we are less reconciled. A romance beautiful and strong. If inwoven with the quaintness of an older literature, its style is none the less an unfailing delight, so lucid, so vivid, so picturesque, so infused with the quality of charm that among contemporary writers of fiction in English few outrank Mr. Duncan in literary technique. Mr. Duncan’s fool almost persuades us that his creator belongs in the glorious company of geniuses.”
| + + − | Ind. 63: 101. Jl. 11, ’07. 610w. |
“A novel that may truly be said to make waste paper of much modern fiction.”
| + + | Lit. D. 34: 961. Je. 15, ’07. 230w. |
“May lay definite claim to be considered as a real book, that indefinable result of original personal impulse and conservative literary tradition.”
| + | Nation. 84: 478. My. 25, ’07. 360w. |
“If old Nicholas Top does not become a permanent member of the honor roll in fiction it will be a marvelous case of non-appreciation.”
| + | N. Y. Times. 12: 302. My. 11, ’07. 930w. | |
| + | N. Y. Times. 12: 380. Je. 15, ’07. 130w. |
“The cruise with Norman Duncan as skipper is invigorating, and it ends in a sunny haven.” Philip Loring Allen.
| + | No. Am. 185: 328. Je. 7, ’07. 1440w. |