The chief merit of the [biography "Pushkin"] is at the same time its main defect. While the book succeeds to a considerable extent in recreating an authentic historical background and conveying some flavor and excitement of the period, it appears not infrequently overladen with heterogeneous material.

Marc Slonim, "The Prodigious Pushkin," in The New York Times Book Review (© 1950 by The New York Times Company; reprinted by permission), March 5, 1950, p. 5.