"'Richard Raynal' tells of a 'solitary' or mystical hermit, who went to warn Henry VI of sin and death, was beaten and died. That is all. But the slight thread of the story is wonderfully moving. Father Benson has made out of these tiny materials a fabric of the most fragrant sweetness, the most delicate colours."--_Morning Leader._
"Here is no controversy, no heated passions swayed by theological bitterness, but whether the scenes are peaceful or warlike, beautiful or terrible, over all is the sun radiance and serenity of unruffled faith.... It is written with a great beauty of style, and there is a vividness in some of the details that take back the entranced reader into the fifteenth century."--_Pall Mall Gazette._
"In this volume Father Hugh Benson sets down a collection of fourteen stories supposed to be told during social evenings in Rome by Catholic priests and laymen of varied nationalities.... Each of the stories deals with a supernatural experience of the narrators.... With his dramatic skill Father Benson makes almost visible the effect upon those assembled of each extraordinary experience recited; with his singular simplicity of style, his easy command of eloquent appeal and striking phrase, he draws us within the shadow of the supernatural. The emotions of the soul on the brink of departure have seldom been imagined with such a passion of religious fervour. Admirable work we expect always from the youngest of three gifted brothers, and with his latest book no reader will be disappointed."--_Globe._
LONDON: SIR ISAAC PITMAN & SONS, LTD., No. 1 AMEN CORNER, E.C.
"A remarkable novel, full of genuine learning, its characterisation strong and clearly defined, and its sincere and devout spirit must impress even those who cannot agree with its tendencies."--_Saturday Review._
"Mr. Robert Hugh Benson has given us a very carefully drawn picture of the religious situation in the time of Elizabeth, of the time when more than ever in our history households were divided against themselves.... Mr. Benson must be congratulated in that what he set out to do he has done well."--_Daily Telegraph._
"Seldom has a more powerful picture been presented of the ruin wrought to monastic life by the rapacity of Henry than that which Mr. Benson has furnished.... He has contrived to furnish forth a novel in which the interest is well maintained, and the characters, good or bad, are intensely human."--_Scotsman._