THE OUTLAWS ON PARNASSUS

by Margaret Kennedy ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

An unusual critical approach to the realm of novel writing, which depends for reader interest on what is, unfortunately, a more dependable English background on the novelists of a century ago than Americans as a rule can provide. In her general comments, challenges and strictures, she presents some sound bases for appraisal, gives indication of her own defense of the importance of a good story and takes issues, specifically with E. M. Forster, for his deriding of plot as essential. But then she approaches the minute analysis of facets of novel writing:-narrative forms, stock characters, creative impulse, writing for money, naturalism, the Proustian stance, description of a character's appearance, habits of faking, didacticism, etc. To illustrate her points she assumes-on the part of her readers- familiarity with writers from Homer to Angus Wilson, but the main focus is on the Victorian and Edwardian writers,- Dickens, Trollope, Thackeray, Scott, Richardson, Smollett, Jane Austen, the Brontes, and many less familiar names. Her references are offhand- a name, a scene, a phrase, which she is sure will be recognized and placed in context. But despite this limitation- for the average reader- the book is lively, provocative, original.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Viking

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1959

Categories: NONFICTION