Jack Hodgins Criticism
Jack Hodgins, a Canadian novelist and short story writer, is celebrated for his imaginative and ambitious literary endeavors. His work, particularly The Invention of the World, challenges conventional narratives by intertwining history, myth, and legend to explore the fabric of modern society. While Hodgins frequently sets his stories on Vancouver Island, his robust imagination transcends regional confines, engaging with what David L. Jeffrey describes as the "Island Mind." Critics such as Roy MacSkimming and Michael Mewshaw recognize his capacity to blend mythical elements with narrative innovation, although they note that this ambition sometimes leads to narrative complexity and occasional lack of cohesion. Hodgins remains a uniquely compelling voice in Canadian literature, as he explores themes of identity, isolation, and the existential quest for meaning, offering readers a multifaceted and often satirical perspective on Canadian life and the broader human experience.
Contents
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An Ambitious, Crazy and Hazardous Novel
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In the following essay, Roy MacSkimming critiques Jack Hodgins' novel The Invention of the World, arguing that while it showcases Hodgins' imaginative talent and rich depiction of Vancouver Island, the novel ultimately lacks spiritual depth and coherence, leaving readers with unanswered questions and unfulfilled expectations.
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A Man's Reach Should Exceed His Grasp, or What's a Second Novel For?
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In the following essay, Barbara Amiel argues that while Jack Hodgins' The Invention of the World is an ambitious and symbolic narrative capturing authentic Canadian life, it falls short of fully satisfying readers due to its unfocused storytelling and visible craftsmanship limitations.
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Novels from Near & Far: 'The Invention of the World'
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In the following essay, George Woodcock critiques Jack Hodgins's The Invention of the World for its vivid portrayal of Vancouver Island's unique setting and characters, while expressing reservations about the novel's shift from authentic myth to fictional invention through the semi-supernatural characterization of Keneally.
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Book Reviews: 'The Invention of the World'
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In the following essay, Denis Salter critiques Jack Hodgins's novel The Invention of the World, arguing that while the novel ambitiously incorporates mythological and archetypal themes to explore the quest for self-realization, its overabundance of symbolic detail and character descriptions detracts from its overall effectiveness, ultimately failing to create coherent character portraits.
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Three Novels: 'The Invention of the World'
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In the following essay, Michael Mewshaw critiques Jack Hodgins's novel "The Invention of the World" for its ambitious attempt to blend mythic characters and narrative techniques to explore the nature of reality and truth, while acknowledging that its vast scope sometimes leads to a lack of cohesion.
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Story and Teller: 'Spit Delaney's Island'
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In the following essay, Laurence Ricou critiques Jack Hodgins' Spit Delaney's Island for its regional focus on Vancouver Island and its tendency towards dramatic yet externally focused storytelling that lacks emotional depth, while he praises the effective portrayal of ordinary moments over grandiose symbolism.
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Jack Hodgins and the Island Mind
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In the following essay, David L. Jeffrey explores Jack Hodgins' literary significance as a subcultural writer, highlighting the rich, multifaceted nature of his works, particularly "The Invention of the World," and argues that Hodgins' exploration of spiritual and existential questions makes him a uniquely compelling voice in Canadian literature.
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Spruce Affectations
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In the following essay, Robert Harlow critiques Jack Hodgins's use of hyperbole and mythmaking in "The Resurrection of Joseph Bourne," highlighting how the lack of motivation and consequence in the narrative affects its coherence while still acknowledging the novel's energy and Hodgins's distinctive imaginative style.
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Among the Remnants of Hippiedom
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In the following essay, George Woodcock argues that while Jack Hodgins maintains his vivid writing style and humor in The Resurrection of Joseph Bourne, the novel fails to innovate beyond the formula established in The Invention of the World, resulting in a lack of imaginative progression and less compelling characterization.
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Setting Out into the Unknown
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In the following essay, Rupert Schieder examines Jack Hodgins' exploration of themes such as identity, isolation, and communication through his complex narratives set in Vancouver Island, highlighting Hodgins' adept use of setting and character to explore truth, illusion, and the necessity of vision in overcoming human limitations.
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Haunted by a Glut of Ghosts: Jack Hodgins' 'The Invention of the World'
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In the following essay, Robert Lecker argues that Jack Hodgins' novel "The Invention of the World" employs mythological structures only to subvert them, suggesting that historical myths and narratives provide an illusory understanding of identity, and positing that the celebration of the present offers an alternative to being mired in historical inquiry.
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Canadian Burlesque: Jack Hodgins' 'The Invention of the World'
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In the following essay, Susan Beckmann examines Jack Hodgins' novel The Invention of the World, arguing that its dual tones offer both a serious exploration of myth and history and a burlesque satire of these elements, reflecting on Canadian identity and the immigrant experience while employing comic and epic imagination.
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Thinking about Eternity
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In the following essay, J. R. (Tim) Struthers discusses how Jack Hodgins' novel "The Resurrection of Joseph Bourne" explores themes of spiritual rebirth and transformation, combining profound religious meaning with humor and humanity, and portrays the titular character as both a divine metaphor and a symbol of secular scripture within a magical, romantic narrative.
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Sisters of Virtue
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In the following essay, Rupert Schieder explores the thematic consistency and evolving interests in Jack Hodgins's work, highlighting how The Barclay Family Theatre unifies its stories through recurring characters and artistic metaphors, while maintaining a grounded exploration of human mysteries and shaken realities akin to Hodgins's previous novels.