Sir Francis Grant, Portrait of a Young Lady
An aspiring novelist marries the daughter of a stock-jobber.
Leonard Merrick (1864-1939) wrote some twenty novels between 1891 and 1921. This one has complex characters whose marital troubles arise in part from their differing backgrounds; it implies also a strong protest against the publishing industry’s poor treatment of brilliant novelists.
“There is a difficulty in writing about the ways of literature and literary men without a slight touch of cynicism. But Mr. Merrick blends it so well with humour that no sting remains.” Morning Post, December 14, 1896
“In spite of flaws there is vigour and freshness in much of it. The atmosphere is distinctly middle-class and is well sustained” and the characters “form an amusing gallery of portraits.” Athenaeum, January 23, 1897
“The happy phrases and brilliant ideas scattered about ought to make a name for the author. . . . He has humour, a sense of style, and, while brimming over with things to say, he is neither diffuse nor ponderous.” Saturday Review, March 20, 1897
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