P. D. James Criticism
P. D. James stands as a monumental figure in the realm of British crime fiction, renowned for her intricate plots and richly developed characters. Her work, while firmly rooted in the traditional mystery genre, frequently delves into the psychological complexity and societal themes, which sets it apart from conventional crime narratives. Through her iconic characters and thematic explorations, James not only refines but deepens the mystery genre.
A key figure in James's literary universe is Adam Dalgliesh, a Scotland Yard detective whose introspective and poetic nature is emblematic of the Byronic hero archetype. This aspect of his character is thoroughly examined in Adam Dalgliesh: Byronic Hero. His investigations are imbued with emotional depth, revealing James's commitment to character-driven stories. The richness of her character development is further highlighted in an interview with Rosemary Herbert, where the societal impacts of crime within her narratives are emphasized.
Expanding her narrative scope, James introduces Cordelia Gray in An Unsuitable Job for a Woman, a pioneering female detective whose presence offers a feminist critique of the genre. This aspect is explored in The Unfinished Detective: The Work of P. D. James. Beyond detective fiction, James ventures into dystopian territory with The Children of Men, a narrative that probes into themes of human extinction and salvation, eliciting mixed critiques such as the one by James Sallis.
Her detailed and atmospheric style garners both admiration and critique, as noted by Christopher Lehmann-Haupt and Judith Crist. While some argue about the density of her descriptions, others, like Joyce Carol Oates in Inside the Locked Room, underscore her ability to refine the genre through meticulous exploration of human motives and societal issues.
James's work is often likened to that of Dorothy L. Sayers for its meticulous attention to character and setting detail, a comparison noted by Thomas Lask. However, her novels often incorporate a psychological depth and modern literary techniques that push beyond traditional boundaries. Despite occasional criticisms regarding plot resolution, such as those expressed by Julian Symons regarding Innocent Blood, her work remains celebrated for exploring complex themes like identity and justice, as highlighted by Maureen Howard. Through her sophisticated storytelling, James significantly contributes to the evolution of the crime fiction genre.
Contents
- Principal Works
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James, P(hyllis) D(orothy)
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Criminals at Large: 'Cover Her Face'
(summary)
In the following essay, Anthony Boucher critiques P. D. James's novel "Cover Her Face" as a literate yet outdated detective story, lacking engaging plot progression and relying on an implausible conclusion.
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Criminals at Large: 'Shroud for a Nightingale'
(summary)
In the following essay, Newgate Callendar praises P. D. James's novel "Shroud for a Nightingale" for its adherence to the traditional British mystery style, highlighting James's meticulous plot development, complex character backgrounds, and the potential of her detective Adam Dalgliesh to become a notable figure in the genre.
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Quick and the Dead
(summary)
In the following essay, John Welcome critiques P. D. James's An Unsuitable Job For a Woman, praising her skillful writing and atmospheric portrayal but criticizing the novel's flawed plot resolution and cautioning against the potential detriment of authorial attachment to her detective character.
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With Intent to Kill
(summary)
In the following essay, Jean White argues that P. D. James demonstrates her mastery of the classic English mystery genre with astute character observation and intelligent plotting in An Unsuitable Job for a Woman, emphasizing her literary style and the novel's contemporary setting at Cambridge.
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Criminals at Large: 'The Black Tower'
(summary)
In the following essay, Newgate Callendar critiques P. D. James's novel "The Black Tower" for its slow pacing and lack of action, despite praising James's writing style and the uniqueness of her detective character, Adam Dalgliesh, which makes it difficult to sustain reader interest in a crime novel.
- Robin W. Winks
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'Crime Times Three'
(summary)
In the following essay, Thomas Lask discusses how P. D. James combines a traditional British writing style with modern psychological complexity in her crime novels, highlighting her nuanced characters and the sophisticated interplay between detectives and suspects, which sets her apart in the mystery genre.
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Midsummer Night's Scream: The 10 Best Whodunits: 'Crime Times Three'
(summary)
In the following essay, Michele Slung argues that while P. D. James is not the "new Agatha Christie" or "queen of crime," she is an esteemed figure in the genre, akin to Josephine Tey, yet lacks the eccentricities that afford characters like Poirot their enduring charm.
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Between Two Worlds
(summary)
In the following essay, Paul Bailey critiques P. D. James's "Innocent Blood" for its unsuccessful attempt to blend literary allusions with the novel's narrative, arguing that the work is marred by clichés and cultural pretensions, which detract from its exploration of complex themes such as grief and selflessness.
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Turning the Thriller Inside Out
(summary)
In the following essay, Maureen Howard examines P. D. James's "Innocent Blood," highlighting James's adeptness in blending traditional novelistic techniques with the thriller genre, while exploring themes of personal identity, parental deception, and the intricate dynamics of revenge, ultimately questioning the reliance on neat narrative resolutions.
- Phoebe-Lou Adams
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'Innocent Blood'
(summary)
In the following essay, Christopher Lehmann-Haupt argues that P. D. James transcends the thriller genre with "Innocent Blood," crafting a novel that masterfully balances intricately plotted suspense with profound thematic exploration of guilt, innocence, and justice, despite some stylistic shortcomings.
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Threats of Violence
(summary)
In the following essay, Julian Symons critiques P. D. James's novel Innocent Blood for departing from traditional mystery conventions, arguing that its ambitious focus on character over mystery results in implausible characters and a melodramatic plot, despite James's strong descriptive style and attention to detail.
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Criminals at Large: 'Cover Her Face'
(summary)
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James, P. D.
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Interview with P. D. James
(summary)
In the following interview, P. D. James discusses her disciplined approach to writing mystery novels, her dual career as a civil servant, her views on feminism and humanity's inherent guilt, and the psychological depth and planning involved in her character development and plot construction.
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Adam Dalgliesh: Byronic Hero
(summary)
In the following essay, Hubly analyzes the character of Adam Dalgliesh as a Byronic hero.
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A Mind to Write
(summary)
In the following interview, P. D. James with Rosemary Herbert explores how James's novels blend psychological depth and moral complexity, diverging from traditional detective fiction by emphasizing character motivations and the societal impact of crime, rather than merely solving the mystery, while also reflecting on her inspirations and personal history.
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The Queen of Crime: P. D. James
(summary)
In the following essay, Symons discusses James's new book, A Taste for Death, and talks to the author about her life and writing in the detective genre.
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The Unfinished Detective: The Work of P. D. James
(summary)
In the following essay, Maxfield analyzes the character of Cordelia Gray and asserts that at the end of An Unsuitable Job for a Woman, there is still room for growth of the character.
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'Sweet Thames, Run Softly': P. D. James's Waste Land in A Taste for Death
(summary)
In the following essay, Richardson delineates the common symbolism and imagery between T. S. Eliot's The Waste Land and James's A Taste for Death and asserts that work is still meaningful to readers who do not recognize the influence.
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The City as Mosaic: P. D. James
(summary)
In the following essay, Sizemore analyzes the role of London, with its mosaic of villages and people, in James's fiction, especially A Taste for Death and Innocent Blood.
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Hanging Out With Higgins
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Wood asserts that James's Devices and Desires is a thriller and a detective novel. P. D. James's new novel seems to return us straight to Auden's theology, set in rural East Anglia, featuring a psychopath called the Whistler who is on the loose, killing young women. The narrative involves various suspects and culminates in a brilliant train of misdeductions and evasions, contrasting with traditional detective fiction.
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A Detective in Spite of Himself
(summary)
In the following review, Crist lauds James's vivid characters, evocation of place, and risk-taking in Devices and Desires.
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Crime and Puzzlement
(summary)
In the following review, Mantel complains that the detective genre is too confining for James's talent.
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Barren Earth
(summary)
In the following review, Hughes praises the first part of James's The Children of Men as 'fascinating stuff,' but complains that the narrative of the second section 'begins to droop.'
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O Brave New World, That Has No People In't!
(summary)
In the following review, Wangerin discusses the two adventures in James's The Children of Men.
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The Decline and Fall of the Human Race
(summary)
In the following review, Sallis argues that James fails in her intentions in The Children of Men.
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On the Case of the Baroness
(summary)
In the following interview, Kellaway discusses with P. D. James her meticulous attention to setting and character in detective fiction, her creative process and research methods, and the themes of identity and morality in her novel "Original Sin," emphasizing James's belief in the cathartic power of crime narratives.
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The Fast River and the Tranquil Lake
(summary)
In the following essay, Gerrard contrasts the work of P. D. James and Walter Mosley, focusing on her Original Sin and his Black Betty.
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Look, No Handcuffs
(summary)
In the following review, Waugh lauds James for "deliver[ing] a tightly woven plot, with no unnecessary digressions" in Original Sin.
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Death and Dire Doings?: Time to Call Dalgliesh
(summary)
In the following review, Lehmann-Haupt complains that James's Original Sin contains too much clutter and irrelevant descriptions.
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The Snake in the Archives
(summary)
In the following review, Malone praises James's Original Sin as a well-written mystery novel.
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Publish and Perish
(summary)
In the following review, Ward compares the publishing world portrayed by James in Original Sin to that portrayed by Zev Chavets in The Bookmakers, and discusses how the two books work as narratives.
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The Psychos Are Nicer Than the Lawyers. So It's True to Life on that Score
(summary)
In the following review, Robertson asserts that James's fans will not be disappointed with A Certain Justice.
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Who Caused the Deaths and What the Deaths Caused
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Waugh praises James's A Certain Justice, noting that since A Taste for Death, published in 1986, no murderer of hers has had to face a jury or serve time, leading to a sameness in the deaths of her characters.
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Going Postal
(summary)
In the following review, Macintyre states that James resolves the plot in A Certain Justice, but ends the novel with moral and emotional questions left unanswered.
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Inside the Locked Room
(summary)
In the following review, Oates traces several of James's novels and praises her A Certain Justice.
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Interview with P. D. James
(summary)
- Further Reading