Katherine Paterson Criticism
Katherine Paterson, an esteemed American novelist and essayist, has made remarkable contributions to young adult literature through her exploration of complex emotional landscapes and moral dilemmas faced by young protagonists. Her body of work, noted for its depth and sensitivity, often tackles themes such as grappling with loss and self-realization, themes seldom addressed in the genre. Paterson's early novels, deeply rooted in historical fiction, draw extensively from her experiences in Japan, as seen in The Master Puppeteer, a book set in feudal Japan that won the National Book Award. Critics like Dora Jean Young and Jean Mercier have praised these works for their vivid depictions and thematic depth.
With Bridge to Terabithia, Paterson shifted to contemporary settings, creating narratives such as this Newbery Medal-winning story which explores friendship and loss with profound insight. The novel, inspired by personal experiences, has been lauded for its authentic portrayal of these themes by critics such as Jack Forman and Barbara Elleman. Similarly, The Great Gilly Hopkins addresses modern issues through the story of a foster child, earning acclaim and a National Book Award for its depiction of family dynamics and personal growth.
In Jacob Have I Loved, Paterson delivers a compelling narrative set in the Chesapeake Bay, exploring sibling rivalry and familial love with a richness that has been examined by critics like M. Sarah Smedman. Although some have critiqued its lack of humor compared to previous works, its character development and setting have been widely celebrated.
Paterson's return to historical fiction with Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom takes readers to 19th-century China, blending adventure with historical context, a work noted for its cultural insight by critics such as Jonathan Yardley. Throughout her career, Paterson has seamlessly integrated her Christian beliefs into narratives that resonate broadly, engaging readers with themes of growth and moral responsibility, as noted by Anthea Bell. Her ability to weave personal experiences into her stories, as highlighted by an interview, underscores her belief in fiction's power to provide experiential learning and hope, resonating with young and adult readers alike.
Contents
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Paterson, Katherine
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Dora Jean Young
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In the following essay, the critic highlights Katherine Paterson's skillful use of detail and setting in The Master Puppeteer to explore themes of teamwork and tradition, as also seen in her previous works, predicting the novel's popularity for its compelling writing and captivating intrigue.
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Jean Mercier
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The critic praises Katherine Paterson's novel, "The Master Puppeteer," for its vivid depiction of 1700s Osaka and the struggles of impoverished Japanese, while highlighting its engaging narrative and detailed exploration of puppetry.
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Zena Sutherland
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In the following essay, Sutherland praises Katherine Paterson's "The Master Puppeteer" for its skillful integration of a complex plot, strong characters, and a richly detailed setting in feudal Japan, emphasizing the novel's engaging depiction of the puppet theater and an Osakan Robin Hood figure.
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Patricia Craig
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In the following essay, Patricia Craig critiques Katherine Paterson's Of Nightingales That Weep for its effective use of exotic settings and historical context to convey themes of loyalty and superficial beauty, while acknowledging the novel's evocative portrayal of feudal Japan and its occasional need for a more nuanced narrative approach.
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Margery Fisher
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In the following essay, Margery Fisher acknowledges initial reluctance towards Katherine Paterson's "Of Nightingales That Weep" due to its setting in twelfth-century Japan, but ultimately praises the novel for its hypnotic narrative, mature character handling, and its effective, understated storytelling that appeals to both adolescents and adults.
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Jack Forman
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In the following essay, Jack Forman highlights how Bridge to Terabithia uniquely portrays a genuine boy-girl friendship and a realistic, poignant response to tragedy, with characters so well-developed that young readers may relate to them as if they were peers.
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The Crime of Being Different
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In the following essay, Richard Peck argues that Katherine Paterson's Bridge to Terabithia effectively captures the challenges of growing up and the transformative power of friendship, with its conclusion offering a hopeful new beginning for both its characters and readers.
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Barbara Elleman
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In the following essay, Barbara Elleman argues that Katherine Paterson's "Bridge to Terabithia" showcases the author's expanding literary skills through its eloquent treatment of complex themes and the superb portrayal of vivid, sensitive characters and their evolving relationships.
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Penelope Curtis
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In the following essay, Penelope Curtis contends that the seemingly loose structure of Katherine Paterson's Bridge to Terabithia ultimately transforms into its greatest strength, as its simplicity and charm resonate with readers, despite initial reservations about its dialogue and themes.
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Mrs. Hildagarde Gray
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In the following essay, the critic praises Katherine Paterson's Bridge to Terabithia as a rare and beautiful love story that transcends physicality by exploring emotional and intellectual connections, highlighting its truth and realism in conveying deep feelings and its potential to secure Paterson a lasting reputation in literature.
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Ann A. Flowers
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In the following essay, Ann A. Flowers praises Katherine Paterson's "Bridge to Terabithia" for its vivid characterizations, cultural contrasts, and realistic depiction of rural school life, while highlighting the nuanced themes of falling and bridge-building that enrich the narrative.
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Jean F. Mercier
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In the following essay, Jean F. Mercier critiques Katherine Paterson's "The Great Gilly Hopkins," emphasizing its exploration of familial themes among children of former hippies, while expressing disappointment in the character development and portrayal of maternal figures as overly simplistic.
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Jack Forman
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In the following essay, Jack Forman discusses Katherine Paterson's creation of compelling characters in "The Great Gilly Hopkins," highlighting the protagonist's intelligence and rebelliousness, while praising the book's realistic dialogue and humor.
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Zena Sutherland
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In the following essay, Zena Sutherland praises Katherine Paterson's "The Great Gilly Hopkins" for its vivid narrative style, realistic dialogue, and profound character development, highlighting the transformative journey of Gilly as she learns to embrace and reciprocate love.
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A Home for Nobody's Child
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In the following essay, Babbitt analyzes how Katherine Paterson's The Great Gilly Hopkins subverts traditional narrative expectations by choosing a hard-hitting, realistic ending over a sentimental one, showcasing Paterson's skillful character development and departure from Dickensian sentimentality while maintaining humor and depth.
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Ethel L. Heins
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In the following essay, Ethel L. Heins critiques Katherine Paterson's The Great Gilly Hopkins, noting its engaging dialogue and characters but arguing it lacks the subtlety and emotional depth of her earlier work, Bridge to Terabithia.
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Virginia Buckley
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In the following essay, Virginia Buckley highlights Katherine Paterson's storytelling abilities, her personal qualities reflected in her characters, and her enduring empathy for the underdog, which is deeply rooted in her childhood experiences.
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Dora Jean Young
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Paterson, Katherine (Womeldorf)
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Angels and Other Strangers: Family Christmas Stories
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In the following essay, Barbara Elleman praises Katherine Paterson for creating nine emotionally stirring and insightful stories in Angels and Other Strangers that reflect the joy of the Christmas season without lapsing into sentimentality, offering a broad scope for family discussion and sharing.
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Angels and Other Strangers
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In the following review, the critic praises Katherine Paterson's collection Angels and Other Strangers for its heartwarming stories that explore the theme of unexpected spiritual gifts during the Christmas season, highlighting her impressive and stylistic storytelling.
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Angels and Other Strangers
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The critic suggests that Katherine Paterson's Angels and Other Strangers features Christmas stories that are more suited for a family or church magazine, with nuanced interactions between different social groups, ultimately providing deeper meaning to the holiday.
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Karen M. Klockner
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In the following essay, Karen M. Klockner commends Katherine Paterson's Angels and Other Strangers for its insightful and compassionate portrayal of Christmas miracles that convey the Christian message through stories rich in human understanding and faith, addressing characters from various walks of life with humor and emotional depth.
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Angels and Other Strangers: Family Christmas Stories
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In the following essay, Ellen Rudin reviews Katherine Paterson's Angels and Other Strangers, highlighting its exploration of Christmas themes such as tolerance, forgiveness, and love through tender stories, which, while mainly for adults, include elements appealing to both children and adults.
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Barbara Elleman
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In the following essay, Barbara Elleman critiques Katherine Paterson's novel Jacob Have I Loved as a vibrant yet overly detailed narrative that effectively captures the haunting character of Louise, though it loses momentum as it progresses into her adulthood without significant confrontation.
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Jacob Have I Loved
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In the following essay, Zena Sutherland highlights the theme of twin-envy in Katherine Paterson's Jacob Have I Loved, emphasizing the novel's strong characterization and vibrant setting, while noting its narrative closure as the protagonist evolves from sibling rivalry to personal fulfillment.
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Jacob Have I Loved
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The critic analyzes Katherine Paterson's novel "Jacob Have I Loved," highlighting the protagonist Louise's journey towards self-fulfillment through service, but notes that the novel's extended timeline and subdued tone lack the resonance of Paterson's other works like "Bridge to Terabithia" and "The Great Gilly Hopkins."
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Coming of Age on Rass Island
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In the following essay, Anne Tyler reviews Katherine Paterson's novel "Jacob Have I Loved," praising its complex portrayal of sibling dynamics and rich depiction of island life, while noting a flaw in the abrupt narrative transition during the protagonist's coming-of-age journey.
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Paul Heins
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In the following essay, Paul Heins explores how Katherine Paterson's Jacob Have I Loved effectively captures the emotional depth and cultural atmosphere of a World War II-era Chesapeake Bay island community, emphasizing the protagonist's emotional journey and the rich narrative power enhanced by Biblical allusions and detailed realism.
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Profile: Katherine Paterson
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In the following interview, Katherine Paterson discusses her use of historical settings to aid in plotting, the inspiration behind her novel The Master Puppeteer, her belief that each story dictates its own style, and her view that fiction provides readers with experiential learning and hope, transcending age distinctions.
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Marcus Crouch
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In the following essay, Marcus Crouch critiques Katherine Paterson's Jacob Have I Loved for its emotional intensity and candid portrayal of adolescence, highlighting Paterson's intellectual honesty and her ability to evoke natural settings and complex characters, though questioning its potential impact on English audiences.
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A Case of Commitment
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In the following essay, Anthea Bell examines Katherine Paterson's ability to integrate her Christian beliefs into her novels without alienating readers, noting her skillful blending of religious themes with engaging storytelling, as exemplified in works like "Bridge to Terabithia" and "The Great Gilly Hopkins."
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Boys, Bandits, Manchu Armies and Opium Wars
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In the following essay, Jonathan Yardley argues that Katherine Paterson's novel Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom masterfully navigates between juvenile and adult fiction by addressing complex themes of growth and moral responsibility within a historical context, all while maintaining a mature and realistic portrayal of life for young readers.
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Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom
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In the following essay, Stephanie Zvirin critiques Katherine Paterson's "Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom" for its reliance on contrived plot elements and overly sermonic philosophy, yet acknowledges the novel's evocative portrayal of nineteenth-century Chinese political turmoil and its appeal to discerning readers.
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Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom
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In the following essay, Zena Sutherland evaluates "Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom" as a vividly detailed historical novel that, although lacking the emotional impact of Katherine Paterson's earlier works, offers significant cultural insights through its depiction of the Taiping Rebellion and its intertwining with Christian doctrine.
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Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom
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In the following essay, Ethel R. Twichell contends that while Katherine Paterson's Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom effectively conveys the historical scope of the Taiping Rebellion, the characters Wang and Mei Lin lack emotional depth, serving more as narrative devices within the tumultuous events of the story.
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Ruth M. McConnell
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In the following essay, Ruth M. McConnell critiques Katherine Paterson's "Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom" for its gripping narrative and thematic parallels to modern cults, while noting the novel's struggles with historical integration and character development.
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'A Good Oyster': Story and Meaning in 'Jacob Have I Loved'
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In the following essay, M. Sarah Smedman explores Katherine Paterson's "Jacob Have I Loved," analyzing how the novel's layered narrative structure and themes of grace, love, and self-discovery are skillfully interwoven to present a profound coming-of-age story that resonates with both religious and secular readers.
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Angels and Other Strangers: Family Christmas Stories
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