"The novel shows us throughout that Mr. Besant is one of those fortunates who find fresh material.... Mr. Besant is a popular novelist, but he shows here an artist"s appreciation of whimsical contrast, and an artist"s skill in the delineation of character.... We are inclined to think "The Ivory Gate" worthy of the past reputation of Mr. Besant, and indicative of future development."--SPEAKER.
"It would be impossible to discuss at length the many and great merits of "The Ivory Gate" without telling the story, and it is certainly a story to be read, not to be told.... Our interest in the story never flags for a moment. Neither in the "Golden b.u.t.terfly," nor "The Chaplain of the Fleet," are there any characters to equal the city knight, Sir Samuel Dering, and his wife Hilda, or the old clerk Checkley."--SAt.u.r.dAY REVIEW.
"The writing in "The Ivory Gate" has that nameless charm which belongs to everything that comes from Mr. Besant"s pen."--NATIONAL REVIEW.
"The complications arising from the situation are cleverly worked out, with all the love of detail and the dramatic skill which always distinguishes Mr. Besant"s workmanship."--TIMES.
"The subject of the novel is a strong one, and it might have been made most powerful; but the dreams that come to Mr. Dering through the Ivory Gate are such happy ones, and he himself is so much more lovable dreaming than awake, that the pathos of the situation does not weigh too heavily upon the reader."--GUARDIAN.
"A story told in the author"s happiest manner.... The spirit which pervades the story is akin to that which pervades "All Sorts and Conditions of Men."... There is a good deal of the feeling of d.i.c.kens in this pleasantly interesting story."--SPORTING LIFE.
"The story is interesting, imaginative, abounding in matter for thought, and is in Mr. Besant"s happiest style."--DAILY NEWS.
"Mr. Besant"s story is a solid boon, a fantasy in which he half escapes from the commonplace veracities of existence, and yet keeps his readers"
feet on the London flagstones throughout."--ATHENaeUM.
"A delightful work.... A charming tale, full of life and interest.... As a story it is in all respects excellent. It is worked out with skill and power. There are many very fine pa.s.sages. "The Ivory Gate" is charming in its originality, and in the simplicity and force with which the plot is developed."--SCOTSMAN.
"There is a good deal that is pleasant in "The Ivory Gate."... Both hero and heroine are admirable."--DAILY CHRONICLE.
"Mr. Besant has. .h.i.t on rather a felicitous subject, which is very well wrought out----We venture to predict that hours spent over "The Ivory Gate" will be pleasant."--SCOTTISH LEADER.
"Mr. Besant ill.u.s.trates a very curious phase of madness; he preaches a highly poetical kind of socialism, and he gives us a clear and attractive picture of ordinary English life.... The story is full of interesting characters."--GLASGOW HERALD.
"The story is cleverly planned and thoroughly readable from beginning to end."--LEEDS MERCURY.
""The Ivory Gate" is a novel of considerable interest, and it is a story that is told in Mr. Besant"s best style."--PALL MALL GAZETTE.
"The story is cleverly told and effective."--MORNING POST.
[_October, 1892_]
[Ill.u.s.tration]
A List of Books
PUBLISHED BY
CHATTO & WINDUS,
214, Piccadilly, London, W.
_Sold by all Booksellers, or sent post-free for the published price by the Publishers._
=ABOUT.--THE FELLAH:= An Egyptian Novel. By EDMOND ABOUT. Translated by SIR RANDAL ROBERTS. Post 8vo, ill.u.s.trated boards, =2s.=
ADAMS (W. DAVENPORT), WORKS BY.
=A DICTIONARY OF THE DRAMA.= Being a comprehensive Guide to the Plays, Playwrights, Players, and Playhouses of the United Kingdom and America. Crown 8vo half-bound, =12s. 6d.= [_Preparing._]
=QUIPS AND QUIDDITIES.= Selected by W. D. ADAMS. Post 8vo, cloth limp, =2s. 6d.=
=AGONY COLUMN (THE) OF "THE TIMES,"= from 1800 to 1870. Edited, with an Introduction, by ALICE CLAY. Post 8vo, cloth limp, =2s. 6d.=
=AIDE (HAMILTON), WORKS BY.= Post 8vo, ill.u.s.trated boards, =2s.= each.
=CARR OF CARRLYON.=
=CONFIDENCES.=
=ALBERT.--BROOKE FINCHLEY"S DAUGHTER.= By MARY ALBERT. Post 8vo, picture boards, =2s.=; cloth limp, =2s. 6d.=
=ALDEN.--A LOST SOUL.= By W. L. ALDEN. Fcap. 8vo, cl. bds., =1s. 6d.=
=ALEXANDER (MRS.), NOVELS BY.= Post 8vo, ill.u.s.trated boards, =2s.= each.
=MAID, WIFE, OR WIDOW?=
=VALERIE"S FATE.=
=ALLEN (F. M.).--GREEN AS GRa.s.s.= By F. M. ALLEN, Author of "Through Green Gla.s.ses." With a Frontispiece by JOSEPH SMYTH. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, =3s. 6d.=
=ALLEN (GRANT), WORKS BY.= Crown 8vo, cloth extra, =6s.= each.
=THE EVOLUTIONIST AT LARGE.=
=COLIN CLOUT"S CALENDAR.=