John Hersey Criticism
John Hersey's Hiroshima, a groundbreaking work of nonfiction, vividly captures the human suffering caused by the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Departing from the then-common focus on the scientific and technical aspects of the atomic blast, Hersey's narrative instead centers on the personal experiences of six survivors: two doctors, two religious figures, and two women, providing a profound insight into their lives before and after the explosion. His clear and compassionate prose reflects the moral complexities of war without overt judgment, encouraging readers to ponder deeply the moral implications of nuclear warfare, as noted in reviews by critics like Charles Poore and Masud Zavarzadeh.
First published in a special issue of The New Yorker in 1946, Hiroshima quickly gained widespread acclaim, prompting a nation to confront the chilling reality of its actions. Its humanistic approach to the narrative helped "penetrate the tissue of complacency" that had settled over the American public, as emphasized by Poore. The book's impact was amplified through its wide dissemination, with figures like Albert Einstein endorsing its significance by purchasing numerous copies. Despite some criticism from voices such as Kingsley Widmer, who critiqued its stylistic choices, Hiroshima remains celebrated for its compelling portrayal of survival amidst devastation, as explored by John T. Dorsey.
Hersey's book has left a lasting legacy, praised for its balanced narrative and poignant storytelling that continues to educate and engage audiences, from young students to scholars of history and ethics. As articulated in George Herbert Clarke's review, Hiroshima is a seminal work that blends factual reporting with narrative skill, offering a powerful reflection on the human cost of war.
Contents
- Principal Works
- Hersey, John (Vol. 7)
- Hersey, John (Vol. 1)
- Hersey, John (Vol. 2)
- Hersey, John (Vol. 9)
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Hersey, John
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A review of Hiroshima
(summary)
In the following review, Bliven praises Hiroshima as "true and indescribably tragic."
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The Most Spectacular Explosion in the Time of Man
(summary)
In the following essay, Poore offers a contemporary exposition on Hiroshima.
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The Past and the Future
(summary)
In the following review, Benedict examines the cultural affects of Hiroshima.
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Hiroshima
(summary)
In the following review, Clarke offers a brief review of Hiroshima. Mr. Hersey's earlier works—Men on Bataan, Into the Valley and A Bell for Adano—have brought him distinction. Hiroshima has brought him an enduring reputation. In point of style, organization and sensitive perception, this is a memorable book. The style is clear and pure; and the organization uses balance and cross-reference with delicate skill. The controlled objectivity places before the reader scene after scene within the aftermath of the explosion of the first atomic bomb used in history as a weapon of war. The place was the Japanese city of Hiroshima, the time was August 6th, 1945; those slain outright or dying shortly after the bombing through wounds, lack of nutrition or lesions caused by lingering radiation numbered at least 100,000. The author has not tried to tell all, or too much, but recounts the immediate and succeeding experiences of six people: Miss Toshiko Sasaki, a factory office clerk; Dr. Masakazu Fujii, head of a private hospital; Mrs. Hatsuyo Nakamura, a tailor's widow; Father Wilhelm Kleinsorge, a German Jesuit; Dr. Terufumi Sasaki, a young surgeon attached to the city's Red Cross Hospital; and the Reverend Kiyoshi Tanimoto, pastor of the Hiroshima Methodist Church.
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John Hersey: War Correspondent into Novelist
(summary)
In the following essay, Sanders discusses Hersey's writing technique as it develops over his five World War II-related novels, including Hiroshima.
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American Apocalypse: Notes on the Bomb and the Failure of Imagination
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Widmer gives Hiroshima a mixed review.
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John Hersey and the American Conscience: The Reception of Hiroshima
(summary)
In the following essay, Yavenditti outlines the context of the public's response to the stories in Hiroshima.
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The Stubborn Fact: The Exegetical Nonfiction Novel
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Zavarzadeh analyzes Hiroshima as an exegetial nonfiction novel.
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The Theme of Survival in John Hersey's Hiroshima and Ibuse Masuji's Black Rain
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Dorsey explores the theme of survival in Hiroshima.
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Beyond the Brink of Destruction
(summary)
In the following review, Toland examines a 1985 edition of Hiroshima that contains a new postscript detailing the post-World War II lives of the six survivors.
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John Hersey Returns to Hiroshima
(summary)
In the following review, Roberts praises the long-lasting power of Hiroshima.
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A review of Hiroshima
(summary)
- Further Reading