SOURCE: A review of The Black Dog, in The Times Literary Supplement, No. 1119, June 28, 1923, p. 438.

In the following review, the critic finds fault with several stories in The Black Dog, yet admires many pieces for their distinctive portrayal of rural characters.

Among the diversely mannered tales which make up The Black Dog, the greater number will be found to develop the distinctive character of Mr. A. E. Coppard's two previous volumes. But the remainder serve no purpose more useful than a makeweight; for such stories as "Simple Simon," "Tanil," and "The Man from Kilsheelan" are excursions, admirably conducted, into regions of fantasy where there is nothing to nourish Mr. Coppard's earthly imagination. Whilst it is good to see a writer attempting to extend his range, the tales we have named are, in observation and sympathy, far behind the rest of the book, and smack of the literary apprenticeship...