"It is immensely entertaining; once in the full swing of the narrative, one is carried on quite irresistibly to the end. The style throughout is easy and graceful, and the text abounds in wise and witty reflections on the realities of existence."--_Boston Beacon_.
"The book is admirably written; it contains passages full of distinction; It is instinct with intensity of purpose; the characters are drawn with a living touch."--London Daily News.
"Mr. Crawford’s new story, ’The Ralstons,’ is as powerful a work as any that has come from his pen.... Harmonized by a strength and warmth of imagination uncommon in modern fiction, the story will be heartily enjoyed by every one who reads it."--_Edinburgh Scotsman_.
"As a picture of a certain kind of New York life, it is correct and literal; as a study of human nature, it is realistic enough to be modern, and romantic enough to be of the age of Trollope."--_Chicago Herald_.
"The whole group of character studies is strong and vivid."--_Literary World_.
"Mr. Crawford’s pen portraits are wonderfully vivid. His analysis of motive is keen and subtle. His portrayal of passion, be it love or avarice, is most graphic."--_Boston Advertiser_.
The first of a series of novels dealing with New York life.
"Mr. Crawford at his best is a great novelist, and in ’Katharine Lauderdale’ we have him at his best."--_Boston Daily Advertiser_.
"A most admirable novel, excellent in style, flashing with humor, and full of the ripest and wisest reflections upon men and women."--_The Westminster Gazette_.
"It is the first time, we think, in American fiction that any such breadth of view has shown itself in the study of our social framework."--_Life_.
"It need scarcely be said that the story is skilfully and picturesquely written, portraying sharply individual characters in well-defined surroundings."--_New York Commercial Advertiser_.
"’Katharine Lauderdale’ is a tale of New York, and is up to the highest level of his work. In some respects it will probably be regarded as his best. None of his works, with the exception of ’Mr. Isaacs,’ shows so clearly his skill as a literary artist."--_San Francisco Evening Bulletin_.
"The imaginative richness, the marvellous ingenuity of plot, the power and subtlety of the portrayal of character, the charm of the romantic environment,--the entire atmosphere, indeed,--rank this novel at once among the great creations."--_The Boston Budget_.