L. P. Hartley Criticism
L. P. Hartley, an English novelist, short story writer, and critic, is celebrated for his exploration of individuality within the framework of English middle-class settings and historical backgrounds. His works often reflect a romantic sensibility intertwined with moral dilemmas, reminiscent of Nathaniel Hawthorne. Hartley's adept use of symbolism and his meticulous attention to craft are notable, drawing comparisons to the literary style of Henry James.
His novel The Go-Between is particularly acclaimed for its thematic exploration of self-deception and exploitation, as highlighted by R. E. Pritchard. Despite its psychological depth, Paul Pickrel critiques it for not fully realizing the illusion of life. Hartley's literary prowess extends to works like Simonetta Perkins, where he captures human impulses against the backdrop of Venice, as observed in New Fiction.
His novel The Sixth Heaven, despite conventional themes, stands out through its unique aesthetic pleasures, as noted by Walter Allen. Furthermore, the imaginative narrative of Facial Justice blends religious science fiction with satire, illuminating themes of individuality and conformity, despite its structural weaknesses, according to the Times Literary Supplement.
Hartley's short stories, as reviewed by Rosalind Wade, demonstrate profound insight into human conscience, drawing comparisons to Somerset Maugham. His works are significant explorations of existential themes, societal pressures, and internal conflicts, as illuminated by Harvey Curtis Webster and Anne Mulkeen. Despite the brilliance of his narrative style, John Athos critiques Hartley's focus on Gothic elements, suggesting they may overshadow the beauty of his narratives. Hartley remains a distinctive voice in twentieth-century literature, engaging with the duality of human nature and the complexities of personal expression within societal constraints.
Contents
- Hartley, L(eslie) P(oles) (Vol. 2)
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Hartley, L(eslie) P(oles) (Vol. 22)
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New Fiction
(summary)
The critic explores how L. P. Hartley's novel Simonetta Perkins artfully captures the complex and often paradoxical nature of human impulses and identity through the experiences of its heroine, Miss Johnstone, against the backdrop of Venice, underlining Hartley's skill in portraying unpredictably realistic characters.
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Fiction
(summary)
In the following essay, Walter Allen argues that L. P. Hartley's novel "The Sixth Heaven," despite its conventional themes, provides unique and exciting aesthetic pleasure through its artistry and composition, distinguishing itself from other works published in 1946.
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Outstanding Novels: 'The Go-Between'
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In the following essay, Paul Pickrel argues that L. P. Hartley's The Go-Between excels in literary craftsmanship and style, yet ultimately lacks the illusion of life due to the misalignment between its psychological and narrative interests, focusing more on the boy's emotional maturation than the plot itself.
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Pretty Gentleman and Betafied Lady
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In the following essay, the critic examines L. P. Hartley's novel Facial Justice, highlighting its blend of religious science fiction and satirical fable, noting its lack of cohesion but praising its imaginative and thoughtful treatment of individuality and conformity.
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The Novels of L. P. Hartley
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In the following essay, Harvey Curtis Webster presents L. P. Hartley's novels as significant explorations of individuality, societal pressures, and internal conflict, emphasizing how works like the "Eustace and Hilda" trilogy and "The Go-Between" uniquely encapsulate themes of psychological repression, salvation, and the struggle for personal expression within societal constraints.
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L. P. Hartley and the Gothic Infatuation
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In the following essay, John Athos argues that L. P. Hartley's work, while displaying technical brilliance and a deep engagement with Gothic elements, ultimately suffers from a limiting preoccupation with evil and horror that overshadows the beauty and complexity of his narratives.
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Literary Supplement: Quarterly Fiction Review
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In the following essay, Rosalind Wade argues that L. P. Hartley's short stories, as compiled in The Complete Short Stories of L. P. Hartley, demonstrate his profound insight into human conscience and foibles, with his narrative skill and characterisation drawing comparisons to Somerset Maugham.
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Wild Thyme, Winter Lightning: The Symbolic Novels of L. P. Hartley
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In the following essay, Anne Mulkeen explores L. P. Hartley's novels as modern Bildungsroman that delve into complex themes of existentialism, morality, and the duality of human nature, utilizing symbolic and realistic techniques to reflect the historical and spiritual dilemmas of the twentieth century.
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L. P. Hartley's 'The Go-Between'
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In the following essay, R. E. Pritchard examines L. P. Hartley's The Go-Between, exploring its themes of self-deception, exploitation, and repression, while highlighting the novel's intricate use of irony, symbolism, and allusion to illustrate the fictionalization of experience and critique the erosion of individual responsibility in the twentieth century.
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New Fiction
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