<P> Churchill first sought the opinion of friends and relations about the book . He asked his grandmother, Frances, Duchess of Marlborough, to comment, with particular reference to the character of Lucile . She responded that she felt the book was worthy of publication, particularly since it already had the prospect of a reasonable financial return, but felt the plot might be improved . She was impressed by the descriptions of fighting, but agreed with Churchill's concerns about Lucile, suggesting that the character betrayed his lack of experience of women . However, an offer of £ 100 from the Morning Post for the right to serialise the book left Churchill no time for amendments, and it was published as it stood . </P> <P> The book was reviewed by the newspaper, The Star, which was modestly impressed . The reviewer considered that it was clearly inferior to The River War, which Churchill had already published, although this book was written earlier, but would otherwise have been a promising start . It was compared to the works of Benjamin Disraeli, a politician who also wrote novels containing significant amounts of social comment . The reviewer observed that in both cases the books served to maintain public interest in their authors . The characters were described as "stock puppets of brisk romance", but the fighting scenes were impressive and full of suspense . </P> <P> The Echo was less impressed . While acknowledging that the book showed promise and was interesting, it was critical of the lack of detail in the plot and in love scenes . Unlike some other reviews, which had been entertained by the philosophy and political comment, this considered the "desperate efforts after intellectuality" as simply dull . It felt the book was overly dependent on fighting and bloodshed to carry it along . </P> <P> The book was not an enormous success, but has persisted . In 1965 a review by Bryan Magee for Encounter observed that the book had hung on in libraries as an adventure tale for children, but regretted that it was neglected by adults . The review recognised that perhaps its greatest interest was now the insight it gave as to Churchill's beliefs as a young man . The character of Savrola identified precisely with Churchill himself, with what he wished to be and what he later became . </P>

Savrola a tale of the revolution in laurania