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The Days of Bruce
“We have had an opportunity of observing the interest it awakens in different classes of readers, and in no instance has it failed to rivet attention, and to induce a high estimate of the author’s powers. Miss Aguilar was evidently well read in the times of Bruce. It is long since we met with a work which combines so happily the best qualities of historical fiction.”
—Eclectic Review.
“The life of the hero of Bannockburn has furnished matter for innumerable tales in prose and verse, but we have met with no records of that famous era so instructive as ‘The Days of Bruce.’”
—Britannia.
“‘The Days of Bruce’ was written when, in the vigour of intellectual strength, Grace Aguilar was planning many things, and all for good; it was we know her especial favourite: it is full of deep interest.”—Mrs. S. C. Hall, in Sharpe’s Magazine.
“It is a volume which may be considered as solid history, but is nevertheless entertaining as the most charming novel ever produced by genius. Sir Walter Scott’s name as an author would not have been disgraced by it had it appeared on the title-page instead of Grace Aguilar.”
—Bucks Chronicle.
“This deeply interesting romance—a composition of great eloquence, written with practised polish and enthusiastic energy. We are not surprised at the elegance, the warmth, and the pathos with which Grace Aguilar paints love passages; but we are astonished at the fire and accuracy with which she depicts scenes of daring and of death.”
—Observer.
“The tale is well told, the interest warmly sustained throughout, and the delineation of female character is marked by a delicate sense of moral beauty. It is a work that may be confided to the hands of a daughter by her parent.”
—Court Journal.
“Every one who knows the works of this lamented author, must observe that she rises with her subjects. In ‘The Days of Bruce’ she has thrown herself into the rugged life of the fourteenth century, and has depicted the semi-civilization of the period in a manner that is quite marvellous in a young woman. Grace Aguilar always excelled in her delineation of female characters, while the skill she evinces in the illustration of the historical personages, and her individualization of the imaginary ones, might at once entitle her to a birthplace among historical novelists.”
—Ladies Companion.
“Her pen was ever devoted to the cause of virtue; and her various publications, exhibiting the beauties and enforcing the practice of the ‘tender charities’ of domestic life, have, we doubt not, recommended themselves to the hearts of numbers of her countrywomen. The work before us differs from the former publications of its author, inasmuch as it is in fact an historical romance, for this species of writing the high feeling of Grace Aguilar peculiarly fitted her; many of the scenes are very highly wrought; and while it will fix in the reader’s mind a truthful idea of the history and style of manners of ‘The Days of Bruce,’ it will also impress upon him a strong sense of the ability and noble cast of thought which distinguished its lamented author.”
—Englishwoman’s Magazine.
“We look upon ‘The Days of Bruce’ as an elegantly-written and interesting romance, and place it by the side of Miss Porter’s Scottish Chiefs.”
—Gentleman’s Magazine.
“A very pleasing and successful attempt to combine ideal delineation of character with the records of history. Very beautiful and very true are the portraits of the female mind and heart which Grace Aguilar knew how to draw. This is the chief charm of all her writings, and in ‘The Days of Bruce’ the reader will have the pleasure of viewing this skilful portraiture in the characters of Isoline and Agnes, and Isabella of Buchan.”
—Literary Gazette.
“What a fertile mind was that of Grace Aguilar! What an early development of reflection, of feeling, of taste, of power of invention, of true and earnest eloquence! ‘The Days of Bruce’ is a composition of her early youth, but full of beauty. Grace Aguilar knew the female heart better than any writer of our day, and in every fiction from her pen we trace the same masterly analysis and development of the motives and feelings of woman’s nature. ‘The Days of Bruce’ possesses also the attractions of an extremely interesting story, that absorbs the attention, and never suffers it to flag till the last page is closed, and then the reader will lay down the volume with regret.”
—Critic.