Criticism > Short Story Criticism > Wilson, Angus - The Times Literary Supplement (essay date 1957)

Wilson, Angus - The Times Literary Supplement (essay date 1957)

The Times Literary Supplement (essay date 1957)

SOURCE: "Human Frailty," in The Times Literary Supplement, No. 2903, October 18, 1957, p. 62.

[In this mixed review of A Bit Off the Map, the critic approves of Wilson's "accurate " and "kindly " fictional observations but speculates that the stories might become dated due to their emphasis on contemporary society.]

K. W. Gransden on the characteristics of Wilson's satire:

The success of Wilson's early stories lies in their sharp, vivid satirical analyses of people's vulnerability, failure and self-deception. His technique is to show a character as he wishes to appear to others, and as he has succeeded in appearing to himself, and to interpose ironic deflationary comments which reveal the resentments and true motives hidden behind the veneer. . . .

A character frequently satirized in this way is the ex-officer, the gentleman down on...

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