The Natural

• eNotes
• quickNotes
• Salem on Literature
• Related Resources
• Lesson Plans
• Group

Browse all of the Salem on Literature series

The Natural (Magill’s Survey of American Literature, Revised Edition)

The Natural, Malamud's first novel, initially received mixed reviews but is now generally regarded as a superb piece of literature. The novel is both an anomaly for and an introduction to the author. The book differs from the typical Malamud novel: Its style is not as realistic; its central protagonist, Roy Hobbs, is not Jewish; it closes on a note of defeat; and it centers on a sport, professional baseball. As such, The Natural is generally viewed in the top echelon of sports novels, such as Robert Coover's The Universal Baseball Association, Inc., J. Henry Waugh,...

[The entire page is 1085 words long]

Navigate

• The Natural (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
• The Natural (Identities and Issues in Literature)
• The Natural (Magill’s Literary Annual 1991-2005)
• The Natural (Magill Book Reviews)
• The Natural (Masterplots, Revised Second Edition)
• The Natural (Cyclopedia of Literary Places)
• The Natural (Magill’s Survey of American Literature, Revised Edition)

See Also:

• Bernard Malamud (Cyclopedia of World Authors)
• Bernard Malamud (Short Fiction)
• Bernard Malamud (Long Fiction)
• Bernard Malamud (Identities and Issues)

See Also:

• - For teachers, the The Natural Lesson Plan.
• - The Natural summary and study guide in the eNotes.