Joanne Greenberg Criticism
Joanne Greenberg, an acclaimed American novelist and short story writer, is best known for her autobiographical novel I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1964), published under the pseudonym Hannah Green. This novel is pioneering in its depiction of mental illness from the patient's perspective, as it follows Deborah Blau, a young schizophrenic navigating between reality and her own imaginary realm, the kingdom of Yr. Despite its initial reception, the novel gained recognition for its sensitive portrayal of Deborah’s struggle, with critics like Brigid Brophy emphasizing its value as an honest account of life with mental illness. While some reviewers critique the novel’s character development, others commend its compelling depiction of Deborah's mental state. Young adult readers, in particular, resonate with Deborah’s feelings of alienation.
Beyond Rose Garden, Greenberg's oeuvre, though not as widely popular, is critically acclaimed for exploring themes of alienation due to communication barriers. This theme is evident in works like In This Sign (1968), which addresses physical handicaps, and The King's Persons (1963), which explores religious rigidity—analyzed in depth by critics such as George E. Gravel and others. Her novels are noted for their realistic and detailed settings, capturing diverse backgrounds and times—a testament to Greenberg’s versatile storytelling and insightful exploration of human experiences.
Contents
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Greenberg, Joanne (Goldenberg)
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George E. Gravel
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In the following essay, George E. Gravel examines Joanne Greenberg's novel "The King's Persons," highlighting its detailed portrayal of the 1190 massacre of Jews in York, and critiques Greenberg’s depiction of the Church as insufficiently robust in counterbalancing the anti-Semitic atrocities described.
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Pogrom in Yorkshire
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The critic argues that while Joanne Greenberg's novel The King's Persons suffers from a weak plot and character communication, it excels in its vivid and detailed depiction of medieval life, highlighting the social dynamics and harsh realities of the time.
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Fire and Sword
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The critic analyzes Joanne Greenberg's novel The King's Persons, highlighting its exploration of interfaith relations and the mounting tensions leading to violence, while noting minor inaccuracies in character interactions that detract slightly from the historical authenticity of the narrative.
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A Locked Ward, a Desperate Search for Reality
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In the following essay, R. V. Cassill critiques "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden" by suggesting that while Hannah Green effectively dramatizes the protagonist's internal battle with psychosis and her relationship with the clinical environment, the novel ultimately falls short of being fictionally convincing due to its focus on roles over humanity.
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Alone in the Kingdom of Yr
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In the following essay, Haskel Frankel critiques I Never Promised You a Rose Garden by Joanne Greenberg, arguing that while it is flawed as a novel, it succeeds as a compelling and honest case history, particularly through its portrayal of the protagonist's psychological struggles and the insightful depiction of therapeutic interactions.
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Calling Mad Mad
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The critic evaluates Joanne Greenberg's I Never Promised You a Rose Garden as an insightful depiction of the mental hospital experience from multiple perspectives, highlighting her success in portraying the schizophrenic's imaginative world, but critiques her less compelling depiction of the protagonist's return to normalcy and the portrayal of peripheral characters.
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An Yri Story
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In the following essay, Brigid Brophy critiques Joanne Greenberg's I Never Promised You a Rose Garden as a novel that blurs the line between fiction and naturalistic observation, emphasizing its descriptive portrayal of a young girl's experience with schizophrenia and the limitations of her therapeutic environment.
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The Need to Communicate
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In the following essay, Joyce Carol Oates praises Joanne Greenberg's collection "Rites of Passage" for its profound artistic, moral, and spiritual beauty, highlighting the complex portrayal of human survival and the essential yet challenging need for communication in the face of isolation, deception, and the struggles of Greenberg's characters.
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Whom Can You Trust?
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In the following essay, Roger Sale critiques Joanne Greenberg's collection "Rites of Passage," highlighting the title story for its compelling exploration of a young boy's misguided attempt to gain paternal approval, though he criticizes the use of a clichéd literary device at its conclusion.
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Fiction: Speaking for the Stranger
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In the following essay, Victor Howes examines Joanne Greenberg's storytelling, highlighting her focus on marginalized individuals and her ability to navigate between tragic and comic tones, ultimately asserting her skill in bringing attention to overlooked and isolated human experiences.
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Metaphors of Madness: Popular Psychological Narratives
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In the following essay, Kary K. Wolfe and Gary K. Wolfe analyze "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden" by Joanne Greenberg, arguing that its blend of autobiography, fiction, and didactic elements results in a compelling yet complex narrative that explores schizophrenia through a blend of coherent novelistic structure and vivid imagery.
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James R. Frakes
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In the following essay, James R. Frakes commends Joanne Greenberg's novel "Founder's Praise" for its masterful portrayal of religious transformation and its impact on a community, highlighting Greenberg's insightful depiction of characters and themes without resorting to cynicism or mockery of the religious experience.
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Stony Parables
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In the following essay, Paul Gray critiques Joanne Greenberg's High Crimes and Misdemeanors for its unsympathetic portrayal of characters who are penalized for their beliefs, suggesting that while Greenberg's stories engage the reader's mind, they may lack the empathy found in her earlier works.
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Fables of Identity, Parables of Passion
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In the following essay, Hilma Wolitzer examines Joanne Greenberg's High Crimes and Misdemeanors, highlighting its central theme of spiritual questing and existential inquiry, and praises Greenberg's inventive storytelling and the stirring of readers’ beliefs and imagination without moralizing.
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High Crimes and Misdemeanors
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In the following essay, Gerry McBroom argues that Joanne Greenberg's "High Crimes and Misdemeanors" offers insightful commentary on contemporary life, particularly Modern American Jewish experiences, through skillful narrative techniques and character development, making it a compelling read for mature audiences despite its lesser appeal to adolescent readers.
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High Crimes and Misdemeanors
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In the following essay, Sanford Pinsker reviews Joanne Greenberg's High Crimes and Misdemeanors, asserting that its stories, marked by moral intricacies and a blend of American-Jewish themes, deserve multiple readings for their surprising and convincing narrative power akin to the qualities of very good poems.
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Rediscovering Judaism
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In the following essay, Ruth R. Wisse examines Joanne Greenberg's A Season of Delight, arguing that while the novel offers a mature exploration of Jewish identity and responsibility, its most compelling sections are the vivid depictions of a fire-rescue squad, which symbolize civic duty and active personal engagement.
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A Season of Delight
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In the following essay, Norma B. Williamson examines Joanne Greenberg's novel A Season of Delight, arguing that Greenberg skillfully reveals the complexity of her protagonist through themes of heritage, family, and personal growth, while employing humor and compassion to explore traditional values.
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A Season of Delight
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In the following essay, Meg Elliott Garber praises Joanne Greenberg's A Season of Delight for its intricate portrayal of complex emotions and mature themes, though she questions its relatability for teenage readers, suggesting instead its value in providing insight into maternal experiences.
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The Far Side of Victory
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In the following essay, Robert C. Small explores The Far Side of Victory, highlighting its themes of guilt and penitence, and argues that it ultimately offers a profound character study of Helen, capturing the complexities of her adult life shaped by childhood experiences.
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Susan Dooley
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In the following essay, Susan Dooley explores how Joanne Greenberg's The Far Side of Victory delves into the complexities of understanding and loving others, as depicted through the character Eric's journey to comprehend the guarded woman he loves, highlighting themes of childhood adversity and emotional discovery.
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Gregory Maguire
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In the following essay, Gregory Maguire praises "The Far Side of Victory" by Joanne Greenberg for its dramatic and engaging narrative, clear prose, and its nuanced exploration of love, personal growth, and small-town dynamics.
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George E. Gravel
(summary)
- Greenberg, Joanne