P. H. Newby Criticism
P. H. Newby, an English novelist born in 1918, is renowned for his exploration of cultural clashes, particularly between English and Middle Eastern worlds. His narratives often feature characters who are confounded by the cultural nuances of unfamiliar settings. This theme is handled with Newby's distinctive wit and satire, emphasizing the persistent lack of mutual understanding across cultures. In his English-set novels, Newby continues to explore themes of self-discovery and the challenges of communication within a fragmented modern society. His storytelling, as highlighted in V. S. Naipaul's analysis of A Guest and His Going, is inventive and engaging, though it occasionally ventures into the fantastical. The comedic elements in works like One of the Founders are praised by Stephen Wall, who questions the depth of thematic exploration. Newby's trilogy, as discussed by F. X. Mathews, blends satiric comedy with themes of illusion and reality, navigating the interplay between personal and political realms. His war novels, such as A Step to Silence and The Retreat, further delve into the individual's struggle with violence and moral identity, a topic explored in Mathews' analysis. Newby's work remains significant for its complex narrative techniques and thematic depth, as seen in Wilfrid Sheed's study of Something to Answer For, which intertwines political themes with a psychological narrative structure.
Contents
- Newby, P(ercy) H(oward) (Vol. 2)
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Newby, P(ercy) H(oward) (Vol. 13)
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V. S. Naipaul
(summary)
In the following essay, the critic commends P. H. Newby's novel A Guest and His Going for its careful and inventive narrative structure, highlighting its capacity to surprise and engage without strain, albeit noting occasional contrived developments and a strong element of fantasy.
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Stephen Wall
(summary)
In the following essay, Stephen Wall critiques P. H. Newby's One of the Founders for its comedic elements and effective dialogue while ultimately questioning whether Newby should aim for greater thematic depth and clarity in his storytelling.
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Newby on the Nile: The Comic Trilogy
(summary)
In the following essay, F. X. Mathews examines P. H. Newby's trilogy, arguing that it uses satiric comedy to explore themes of illusion and reality, both individual and cultural, while addressing the inherent challenges of reconciling personal and political spheres in a world beset by contradictions.
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Double Deal
(summary)
In the following essay, Wilfrid Sheed argues that P. H. Newby's novel "Something to Answer For" uniquely blends political themes with a psychological narrative, utilizing a complex storytelling technique that combines hallucination and reality, though slightly weakened by a moralizing conclusion.
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Witness to Violence: The War Novels of P. H. Newby
(summary)
In the following essay, F. X. Mathews argues that P. H. Newby's war novels, particularly "A Step to Silence" and "The Retreat," explore the complex theme of the individual as a witness to violence, portraying the struggle for moral identity and the role of imagination in making sense of an irrational world.
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V. S. Naipaul
(summary)