Jerome Charyn Criticism

Jerome Charyn, an American novelist born in 1937, has evolved from writing traditional works to creating antirealist novels since the late 1960s, often drawing comparisons to Vladimir Nabokov and John Hawkes. His fiction is marked by an inventive and fluid use of language, combined with a sharp comedic sense, which is evident in works like The Franklin Scare. In this novel, Charyn challenges conventional narratives of history through a fantastical lens, as noted by Irving Malin, while also bringing pop culture energy to the portrayal of historical figures, as observed by John Leonard. Charyn's style often merges fairy tale elements and abstract expressionism, as seen in "Secret Isaac," though this approach can sometimes overshadow narrative clarity, as critiqued by Seymour Epstein. Notably, The Seventh Babe transforms a baseball story into a magical realist narrative, reminiscent of Gabriel García Márquez, blending psychoanalytic themes, as highlighted by William Plummer. Charyn’s works, while inventive, can sometimes be critiqued for their lack of narrative development and emotional depth, as discussed in analyses by William Pritchard and Ernest Larsen on The Catfish Man.

Jerome Charyn