Erich Segal Criticism
Erich Segal, an American author and classics scholar, gained widespread recognition with his debut novel, Love Story. Although he has an extensive background as a playwright, librettist, screenwriter, and editor, Segal's literary fame primarily stems from his exploration of romance in Love Story and its sequel, Oliver's Story. These novels, often criticized for their sentimental and simplistic portrayal of modern love, continue to spark discussion among literary critics. Richard R. Lingeman notes that Oliver’s Story struggles to replicate the charm of the original due to its lack of compelling characters, though it still manages to deliver a satisfying end. Similarly, Dorothy Sinclair finds the sequel entertaining, albeit light, suited to a Hollywood-influenced genre while lacking profound depth. Meanwhile, H. T. Anderson critiques it for being predictable and clichéd, albeit reflective of contemporary social issues, ultimately branding it as uninspired. Despite these critiques, Segal's works remain significant for their impact on the genre of romantic fiction.
Contents
- Segal, Erich (Vol. 3)
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Segal, Erich (Vol. 10)
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The Son of 'Love Story'
(summary)
In the following essay, Richard R. Lingeman critiques Erich Segal's sequel "Oliver's Story," noting its struggle to match the charm of "Love Story" due to the absence of the original's compelling characters, while acknowledging that despite its shortcomings, the book ultimately succeeds in delivering a satisfying conclusion.
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Dorothy Sinclair
(summary)
In the following essay, Dorothy Sinclair evaluates Erich Segal's Oliver's Story as a witty, albeit light, continuation of Love Story, highlighting its appeal within the Hollywood-oriented genre and noting its ability to entertain without profound depth.
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H. T. Anderson
(summary)
In the following essay, H. T. Anderson critiques Erich Segal's "Oliver's Story" as a predictable and corny sequel to "Love Story," suggesting that despite its clichéd presentation, it inadvertently reflects contemporary social attitudes and issues, although ultimately finding the novel dull and uninspired.
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The Son of 'Love Story'
(summary)