The Season’s Great Success
By Leona Dalrymple
Viewed even in the critical light of the high standard set for the winner of a ten-thousand-dollar prize, “Diane of the Green Van” fully measures up to the expectations of the novel-reading public.
This is why it heads the list of best sellers in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia. The advertising value of a big prize offer may account in some degree for the heavy advance sale—although the wholesale buyers ordered after reading. Nothing but sheer merit can account for the extremely large retail sale. Friend-to-friend commendation is steadily increasing over-the-counter demand.
The judges—the readers—all gave “Diane” first place among five hundred manuscripts, many of them by first-class authors. The trade has applauded the choice. Reviewers have called “Diane of the Green Van” well worth the big prize.
We should like to be able to publish the list of twenty or more successful writers who entered stories. On reputation alone, their work would have gone far; but we feel that the story of “Diane” will go farther.
“Here are expectation and enthusiasm justified alike. It is a clear, clean, clever romance.... It combines the love and intrigue of the ‘Zenda’ tale with the freedom of a Locke or Farnol story of broad highways.”—New York World.
“Just what countless pleased readers will devour with avidity.... Gracefully written, vivid in style and suggestion.... Bright and breezy and exciting.”—Chicago Record Herald.