“A more complete or less welcome metamorphosis in style, subject matter, purpose—everything for which the name of George Gissing has always stood in the minds of those who counted him among the strongest of the latter day novelists—than is to be found in his posthumous historical novel, ‘Veranilda,’ it would be as hard to imagine. What is published is in no sense a fragment or preliminary sketch, but is finished and polished in Mr. Gissing’s best manner.”
| + — | N. Y. Times. 10: 118. F. 25, ‘05. 1260w. |
“In manner the narrative is dignified and careful. The human and story interests are strong and well maintained. The book is easily one of the best of modern attempts at classical romance.”
| + + | Outlook. 79: 606. Mr. 4, ‘05. 220w. | |
| + — | R. of Rs. 31: 762. Je. ‘05. 60w. |
Gissing, George. [Will Warburton: a romance of real life.] [†]$1.50. Dutton.
In this story of self sacrifice in every-day life Will Warburton, when his extensive sugar business fails because of the extravagances of his incompetent partner, supports his mother and sister by secretly becoming a shopkeeper. When his friends at last discover that he has degenerated into a mere grocer, a girl whom he thought he loved, an artist whom he had befriended, and others turn against him, but he finds, when they are gone, that his true friends and his true love still remain.
“‘Will Warburton’ is a monument of ‘art for art’s sake.’ Its arrangement is not quite flawless; we would not quarrel with some of the sequences of chapters: but on the whole, it is a thing of noble shape.”
| + + — | Acad. 68: 710. Jl. 8, ‘05. 860w. |
“A gain in power, in grasp, and in sympathy. But apart from this important development there is no change observable in the style.”
| + + | Ath. 1905, 2: 41. Jl. 8. 500w. |