Mr. Isaacs

<br> "<i>Mr Isaacs</i> (1882), uses some of the teachings of <u>Theosophy</u> to enlighten an otherwise mundane romance." (underscore represents linked cross-reference) --<i>Encyclopedia of Fantasy</i>, biographical entry by Mike Ashley

Crawford's first novel Full title: Mr. Isaacs: A Tale of Modern India

A review of The Witch of Prague (1891) contrasts it with Crawford's handling of the extraordinary in this earlier novel: "Hypnotism may be congratulated on having received the attention of Mr. Marion Crawford. But in proportion as hypnotism may rejoice the art of fiction must grieve. There are two ways of dealing with matters of this kind in fiction; one is right and the other is wrong; one was adopted in Mr. Isaacs, the other in The Witch of Prague. Readers of Mr. Isaacs will not have forgotten the brilliant skill with which matters beyond the range of ordinary experience were worked into the substance of the story without comment, argument, or fancied explanation." (Quoting a note in the later novel: "The deeds recounted are not imaginary. ... all the most important situations have been taken from cases which have come under medical observation within the last few years.") --The Athenaeum 1891-08-22 p2