identity. The novel ends in describing how Kusinara is well acquainted with the Falconets. Reception A review of the novel appeared in The Spectator when the incomplete work was finally published in 1905. Although complimentary about some aspects of the novel (such as its “amazing facility in portraiture” and its “peculiar brand of epigram of which Disraeli alone had the secret”) the reviewer was overall disappointed since Disraeli’s “wisdom and acumen had ebbed,” resulting in, “the comic spirit [being] a little weary.” Disraeli’s biographer Robert Blake, however, wrote that, “the novel shows no signs of failing talent….and one can only regret that it was never finished." Analysis Falconet is generally regarded as a cruel parody of Disraeli’s long-time political rival William Gladstone. Falconet shares with Gladstone his religious fervour, intelligence and oratorical style but is described as “essentially a prig”, “arrogant and peremptory” and having “a complete deficiency in the sense of humour”. It has also been suggested that Lady Bertram was "one more memory of Lady Palmerston" and that the character of Hartmann, a nihilist, was inspired by the assassination of Tsar Alexander II of Russia which took place whilst Disraeli was writing the novel. References Novels by Benjamin Disraeli Unfinished novels 1905 British novels Novels published posthumously Works originally published in The Times Books written by prime ministers of the United Kingdom