C(ourtlandt) D(ixon) B(arnes) Bryan Criticism
Courtlandt Dixon Barnes Bryan, an American novelist and nonfiction writer, is most acclaimed for his work Friendly Fire (1976). This narrative delves into the repercussions of an American soldier's death during the Vietnam War, capturing the resulting disillusionment felt by a patriotic family. Despite some criticism regarding Bryan's perceived detachment from the soldier's parents and his acceptance of the official military narrative, Jane Howard commends the work for its potent blend of journalistic and fictional techniques. The adaptation of Friendly Fire into a television movie in 1979 underscores its cultural impact.
In contrast, Bryan's novels, including P. S. Wilkinson (1965) and Beautiful Women; Ugly Scenes (1983), have not garnered the same level of critical acclaim. P. S. Wilkinson, which explores a young man's identity crisis post-Korean War, is noted for its vivid storytelling but criticized for its unclear protagonist, as observed by John Knowles and echoed by Brian Wilkie. The novel's Harper Prize is seen as a testament to Bryan's potential rather than its own merit, as suggested by Time.
The Great Dethriffe and Beautiful Women; Ugly Scenes have been critiqued for their exhaustive detail and lack of compelling character development. Sara Blackburn and Jonathan Yardley highlight the failure of The Great Dethriffe to emulate the depth of works like The Great Gatsby. Similarly, Beautiful Women; Ugly Scenes faces criticism for its excessive sincerity and outdated portrayal of gender roles, as noted by Alice Adams and Jonathan Yardley, revealing a disconnect between Bryan's narrative style and contemporary sensibilities.
Contents
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Just One Thing After Another
(summary)
In the following essay, John Knowles critiques C.D.B. Bryan's novel "P.S. Wilkinson" for its portrayal of a young man's prolonged struggle with identity and purpose in a post-war setting, noting its autobiographical elements and the novel's focus on presenting rather than resolving the central character's personal dilemmas.
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A Prize Case of Angst
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The essay critiques C. D. B. Bryan's P. S. Wilkinson, describing the protagonist as dreary and self-pitying, while suggesting that the novel's Harper Prize win reflects potential in Bryan's future works rather than the strengths of this particular book.
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Our Hero vs. War, Women and Washington
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In the following essay, Brian Wilkie critiques C. D. B. Bryan's P. S. Wilkinson for its lack of character depth and reliance on digressions, while acknowledging Bryan's skillful portrayal of institutional settings and narrative ability, suggesting that the novel effectively explores personal and institutional conflicts.
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George Dethriffe, an Uneasy Stand-in for Jay Gatsby
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In the following essay, Jonathan Yardley critiques C.D.B. Bryan's novel "The Great Dethriffe" for its lack of originality and its unsuccessful attempt to reinterpret "The Great Gatsby," ultimately arguing that Bryan's portrayal misinterprets Fitzgerald's themes and fails to address the universality of Gatsby's illusions.
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Down with Class
(summary)
In the following essay, Sara Blackburn critiques C. D. B. Bryan's The Great Dethriffe, highlighting its failure to successfully emulate The Great Gatsby due to an ambivalent portrayal of characters, ultimately resulting in an impressive yet superficial narrative that lacks the depth of Fitzgerald's work.
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After Gatsby
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In the essay, the critic explores how C. D. B. Bryan's novel "The Great Dethriffe" uses "The Great Gatsby" as an ironic template to contrast nostalgic yearnings with contemporary disillusionment, highlighting how Bryan's prose effectively bridges these themes through its clever emulation of Fitzgerald's style.
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An American Tragedy
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In the following essay, Jane Howard commends C. D. B. Bryan's "Friendly Fire" for its powerful portrayal of grief and national disillusionment following the Vietnam War, while acknowledging minor stylistic flaws in Bryan's compelling fusion of journalistic and fictional narrative techniques.
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Robert Sherrill
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In the following essay, Robert Sherrill critiques C. D. B. Bryan's "Friendly Fire," asserting that Bryan's exploration of anti-war disillusionment following Vietnam echoes classic war literature, while also highlighting the unintended moral complexity presented through Bryan's changing perspective and interactions with the bereaved Mullen family.
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Friendly Fire
(summary)
In the following essay, Amanda Heller critiques C. D. B. Bryan's Friendly Fire for its portrayal of the Mullens' tragic obsession with their son's death during the Vietnam War, arguing that Bryan's narrative exposes the complex and unsettling human dimensions behind a seemingly straightforward antiwar story.
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True Patriots
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In the following essay, Diane Johnson critiques C.D.B. Bryan's "Friendly Fire" for its portrayal of the Mullens and their struggle against the military's narrative, arguing that Bryan's acceptance of institutional explanations reflects a broader societal complacency, while the Mullens epitomize true patriotism through their unyielding pursuit of truth and justice.
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Marriage and Morals
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In the following essay, James Atlas explores the sociological and literary aspects of C. D. B. Bryan's novel Beautiful Women; Ugly Scenes, highlighting the protagonist's candid yet artfully presented mid-life crisis, his superficial understanding of relationships, and the novel's reflection on fidelity.
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Wife-Swapping and Other Outworn Joys
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In the following essay, Jonathan Yardley critiques C. D. B. Bryan's novel "Beautiful Women; Ugly Scenes" for its self-indulgent narration and lack of engaging characters, arguing that the book's excessive sincerity and autobiographical nature ultimately undermine its potential to effectively explore the theme of familial ideals versus reality.
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Loving Odette
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In the following essay, Alice Adams criticizes C. D. B. Bryan's novel "Beautiful Women; Ugly Scenes" for its disjointed narrative style, superficial character depth, and outdated gender stereotypes, arguing that the book portrays a 1950s sensibility incongruous with its late 1970s setting.