 (This article was reprinted in abbreviated form in "Book News" (October, 1893))

The following review appeared in "The Eclectic Magazine of Foreign literature, Science, and Art", Volume 54 - Page 859 (1891) A NOVEL WITH A TAG TO IT, "An Utter Failure", A Novel, By Miriam Coles Harris, Author of Rutledge, etc., New York, D Appleton & Co."The author of 'Rutledge' has not been as prolific in literary production as one might wish, but her last book, now before us proves, that her pen has not lost its cunning.The story is a pathetic one and its melancholy is but slightly relieved by any sunshiny pictures of life.We do not quite see any sufficient motive for Rachel's marriage to Count Paolo Buonamici on her Italian visit, except that the American girl was blinded and dazzled by the general fascination of Italy, for she does not love the man -- an empty-headed, cold-hearted, sterile-natured man, who conquers ber by the brief passion of temperament and a certain clinging persistence like that of the jelly fish.