Part II.—Fiction
Marie Corelli's Novels.
Crown 8vo. 6s. each.
'The tender reverence of the treatment and the imaginative beauty of the writing have reconciled us to the daring of the conception. This "Dream of the World's Tragedy" is a lofty and not inadequate paraphrase of the supreme climax of the inspired narrative.'—Dublin Review.
'A very powerful piece of work.... The conception is magnificent, and is likely to win an abiding place within the memory of man.... The author has immense command of language, and a limitless audacity.... This interesting and remarkable romance will live long after much of the ephemeral literature of the day is forgotten.... A literary phenomenon... novel, and even sublime.—W. T. Stead in the Review of Reviews.
'It cannot be denied that "The Master Christian" is a powerful book; that it is one likely to raise uncomfortable questions in all but the most self-satisfied readers, and that it strikes at the root of the failure of the Churches—the decay of faith—in a manner which shows the inevitable disaster heaping up... The good Cardinal Bonpre is a beautiful figure, fit to stand beside the good Bishop in "Les Misérables." It is a book with a serious purpose expressed with absolute unconventionally and passion... And this is to say it is a book worth reading.'—Examiner.
'It is impossible to read such a work as "Temporal Power" without becoming convinced that the story is intended to convey certain criticisms on the ways of the world and certain suggestions for the betterment of humanity.... The chief characteristics of the book are an attack on conventional prejudices and manners and on certain practices attributed to the Roman Church (the policy of M. Combes makes parts of the novel specially up to date), and the propounding of theories for the improvement of the social and political systems.... If the chief intention of the book was to hold the mirror up to shams, injustice, dishonesty, cruelty, and neglect of conscience, nothing but praise can be given to that intention.'—Morning Post.
Anthony Hope's Novels.
Crown 8vo. 6s. each.
'A very remarkable book, deserving of critical analysis impossible within our limit; brilliant, but not superficial; well considered, but not elaborated; constructed with the proverbial art that conceals, but yet allows itself to be enjoyed by readers to whom fine literary method is a keen pleasure.'—The World.
'A graceful, vivacious comedy, true to human nature. The characters are traced with a masterly hand.'—Times.
'Of all Mr. Hope's books, "A Man of Mark" is the one which best compares with "The Prisoner of Zenda."'—National Observer.
'It is a perfectly enchanting story of love and chivalry, and pure romance. The Count is the most constant, desperate, and modest and tender of lovers, a peerless gentlemen, an intrepid fighter, a faithful friend, and a magnanimous foe.'—Guardian.
'The tale is thoroughly fresh, quick with vitality, stirring the blood.'—St. James's Gazette.
'There is searching analysis of human nature, with a most ingeniously constructed plot. Mr. Hope has drawn the contrasts of his women with marvellous subtlety and delicacy.'—Times.
'In elegance, delicacy, and tact it ranks with the best of his novels, while in the wide range of its portraiture and the subtilty of its analysis it surpasses all his earlier ventures.'—Spectator.
'The book is notable for a very high literary quality, and an impress of power and mastery on every page.'—Daily Chronicle.
