Shaw, Irwin (Vol. 23) - Introduction

Irwin Shaw 1913–

American novelist, dramatist, short story writer, and scriptwriter.

Shaw received critical recognition at age 22 with his vehemently antiwar play, Bury the Dead. He has since written historical/political plays, adapted a French sex farce, published several collections of short stories, created three popular television mini-series, and become a best-selling novelist.

Critics of Shaw's work are divided: some applaud his agile characterizations and talent for dialogue while others label him a propagandist churning out formulaic best-sellers. His recent Bread upon the Waters garnered such reactions but was also favorably compared to his early The Young Lions, a widely-read World War II novel.

(See also CLC, Vol. 7; Contemporary Authors, Vols. 13-16, rev. ed.; and Dictionary of Literary Biography, Vol. 6.)