Frederic Raphael Criticism
Frederic Raphael, born in 1931, is a versatile American writer recognized for his novels, short stories, criticism, and work as a dramatist across various media. Residing in England, Raphael is noted for his exploration of English upper and middle-class society through innovative narrative techniques. His screenplay for Darling received accolades both in England and the United States. Raphael's work often delves into complex emotional dynamics and societal norms, as observed in novels like Richard's Things, where the interplay of style and character is central, as highlighted by critics such as Peter Ackroyd and Martin Levin. His storytelling often intertwines humor and cleverness, sometimes overshadowing deeper themes, as discussed in critiques of works like California Time by Neil Hepburn and Ivan Gold. Raphael's distinctive style and narrative flair remain a subject of both admiration and critique in literary circles.
Contents
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Raphael, Frederic (Vol. 14)
- Eric Moon
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Defying the Conventions
(summary)
In the following essay, Peter Ackroyd argues that in Frederic Raphael's Richard's Things, the formal and distant style dominates the narrative, transforming character into a function of style and rendering both trivial and significant events with equal emotional weight through elliptic and ironical prose.
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Fiction and Poetry: 'Richard's Things'
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In the following essay, Martin Levin praises Frederic Raphael's skillful narrative and original style, highlighting how the novel "Richard's Things" explores complex emotional dynamics and relationships, drawing comparisons to Colette's works while emphasizing Raphael's unique mastery of his craft.
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England in Hollywood
(summary)
In the following essay, Neil Hepburn critiques Frederic Raphael's California Time for its technical brilliance and complex narrative style, suggesting that while the book's themes of death, duality, and cultural collision are intriguing, Raphael's overwhelming cleverness may overshadow the novel's deeper meanings.
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California Time
(summary)
In the following essay, Ivan Gold discusses Frederic Raphael's novel "California Time," noting its humorous exchanges and wordplay, and suggests that, despite its flaws, the novel achieves a clever self-awareness by constantly reminding readers of its literary nature.
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Craftsmen
(summary)
In the following essay, Nick Totton critiques Frederic Raphael's The Glittering Prizes for its over-reliance on wit and dialogue, arguing that while it captures the superficial allure of Oxbridge intellectualism, it fails to provide substantive insight into the deeper implications of its characters' verbal agility and social interactions.
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Going Down Bravely
(summary)
In the following essay, James Brockway criticizes Frederic Raphael's novel adaptation of The Glittering Prizes for being more a script than a novel, questioning the accuracy of its presentation under the Trades Description Act and highlighting its effectiveness in reflecting a superficial society.
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The Way We Live Now
(summary)
In the following essay, Dean Flower critiques Frederic Raphael's The Glittering Prizes for its reliance on dialogue at the expense of deep characterization, drawing comparisons with Forster's works, and discusses the protagonist's struggle with identity and societal expectations amidst waning idealism.
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Making Tracks
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In the following essay, Blake Morrison critiques Frederic Raphael's focus on the middle-class couple in his stories, suggesting that Raphael's indulgent and sometimes saccharine style leads to self-parody, leaving readers with a sense of emptiness despite moments of skillful writing.
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Frederic Raphael's 'Sleeps Six and Other Stories'
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In the following essay, Patricia Craig critiques Frederic Raphael's Sleeps Six and Other Stories for their portrayal of brittle and grasping adulteries, noting that while Raphael's observational humor is evident, the stories suffer from compressed, insubstantial fragments and an over-reliance on smartness rather than depth.
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Psychic and Mental
(summary)
In the following essay, John Mellors critiques Frederic Raphael's Sleeps Six for its focus on middle-class marital infidelities and attempts at wit, arguing that while some of Raphael's humor is successful, it often falls flat, though the collection still offers moments of notable "hip humour."
- Raphael, Frederic (Vol. 2)