Peter Dickinson Criticism
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N. Danischewsky
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In the following essay, N. Danischewsky praises Peter Dickinson's The Weathermonger for its originality, entertainment value, and thematic depth, highlighting its appeal to imaginative children and its ability to blend traditional and modern themes with shrewd commentary on war and a memorable literary style.
- Allen J. Hubin
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L. E. Salway
(summary)
In the following essay, L. E. Salway contrasts Peter Dickinson's Heartsease with his earlier work The Weathermonger, noting a shift from humor and originality to a more serious exploration of life in a superstitious society, while acknowledging the engaging plot and character dynamics despite a less compelling portrayal of the children.
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Margery Fisher
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In the following essay, Margery Fisher examines Peter Dickinson's "The Devil's Children," highlighting its dual narrative of a young girl's emotional journey and survival in a post-apocalyptic Britain, where the societal changes serve as an allegory for her personal growth and adaptation.
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Allen J. Hubin
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In the following essay, Allen J. Hubin critiques "The Sinful Stones" by Peter Dickinson, acknowledging Dickinson's creative range but expressing a muted enthusiasm for its plot, considering it less compelling than his previous works.
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Sara Blackburn
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In the following essay, Sara Blackburn critiques Peter Dickinson's The Lizard in the Cup for its failure to develop the character of James Pibble, arguing that this oversight diminishes reader engagement despite the novel's skillful plotting and evocative setting.
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A. L. Rosenzweig
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In the following essay, A. L. Rosenzweig argues that Peter Dickinson's The Sinful Stones stands out for its unique character development and nostalgic exploration of Edwardian times, as Inspector Pibble evolves with each mystery in the series.
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Margery Fisher
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In the following essay, Margery Fisher analyzes Peter Dickinson's novel "Emma Tupper's Diary," highlighting its narrative complexity, thematic concern with Britain's state and human impact on the environment, and praises its blend of humor and style akin to his adult fiction.
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Newgate Callendar
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In the following essay, Newgate Callendar argues that Peter Dickinson's "Sleep and His Brother" stands out for its subtle mystery and masterful storytelling, whereas "Emma Tupper's Diary" is critiqued for its lack of coherence and engaging motivation, despite occasional cleverness.
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Frank Eyre
(summary)
In the following essay, Frank Eyre explores Peter Dickinson's unique and imaginative contributions to children's literature, particularly highlighting the author's skill in blending adventure, character development, and social critique in works such as "The Weathermonger," "Heartsease," and "The Devil's Children," as well as his exploration of human and animal relationships in "The Dancing Bear."
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Newgate Callendar
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In the following essay, Newgate Callendar commends Peter Dickinson's skill in creating realistic characters and engaging plots in "The Lizard in the Cup," while also praising his ability to vividly recreate historical settings in works like "The Dancing Bear," highlighting his humor and depth as a mystery writer.
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Bill Messer
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In the following essay, Bill Messer analyzes Peter Dickinson's "The Dancing Bear," highlighting its exploration of identity formation in adolescents and the adaptation to foreign environments, emphasizing Dickinson's skill in integrating these themes into a compelling narrative.
- Paul Heins
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Newgate Callendar
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In the following essay, Newgate Callendar commends Peter Dickinson's "The Poison Oracle" for its detailed and well-researched depiction of Arabic languages and customs, which elevates the novel beyond a traditional mystery, while also noting its unique and unconventional witness.
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Mary M. Burns
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In the following essay, Mary M. Burns praises "The Gift" by Peter Dickinson for its masterful storytelling, skillful blend of suspense and psychological depth, and its ability to maintain the adolescent perspective amidst complex themes of social realism, psychological analysis, and occult phenomena.
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Jane Abramson
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In the following essay, Jane Abramson examines Peter Dickinson's novel, highlighting how he blends folklore with modern suspense to explore themes of perception and emotion through the clairvoyant experiences and complex family dynamics of the protagonist, Davy Price.
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A Chimp in Time
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In the following essay, Richard E. Geis praises Peter Dickinson's novel The Poison Oracle for its vivid depiction of the marsh people and their culture, suggesting that Dickinson's intricate world-building surpasses that of many science fiction writers.
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Written for Children: An Outline of English-Language Children's Literature
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In the following essay, John Rowe Townsend critiques Peter Dickinson's "Changes" trilogy, praising its vivid storytelling and poetic elements, while noting its non-traditional structure and suggesting the narrative potential was not fully realized, particularly concerning the narrative order and thematic consistency.
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Peter Dickinson Considered, in and out of the Classroom
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In the following essay, Joanna Hutchison critiques Peter Dickinson's children's trilogy, highlighting strengths such as vivid storytelling and realistic settings, but also noting weaknesses in plot consistency and thematic exploration of machines, ultimately praising "The Devil's Children" for its complex character development and cultural themes.
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Margery Fisher
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In the following essay, Margery Fisher analyzes Peter Dickinson's Chance, Luck and Destiny, illustrating how the narrative of Oedipus exemplifies the distinctions between chance, luck, and destiny, and highlights the book's unique blend of guesswork, reason, and belief, making it engaging for audiences beyond young readers.
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Margery Fisher
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In the following essay, Margery Fisher examines Peter Dickinson's novel The Blue Hawk, highlighting its effective blend of historical illusion and narrative freedom, and discusses its exploration of themes such as the tension between tyranny and freedom of thought within a vividly constructed ancient world.
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David Churchill
(summary)
In the following essay, David Churchill evaluates Peter Dickinson's Chance, Luck and Destiny as an engaging and informative anthology that combines fact and fiction with insightful commentary, suggesting it is a valuable addition to secondary school libraries for its intriguing examination of chance and coincidence.
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Ritual or Revolution
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In the following essay, Marcus Crouch praises Peter Dickinson for his unpredictable and imaginative storytelling, highlighting The Blue Hawk as a work that skillfully blends historical and speculative elements, ultimately celebrating Dickinson's mastery in engaging both child and adult readers with his narrative prowess.
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Murder at the Palace
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In the following essay, T. J. Binyon argues that Peter Dickinson innovatively subverts the traditional closed-setting detective story by crafting intricate environments in his novels that redefine crime and detection, and highlights Dickinson's use of a child’s perspective in "King and Joker" to explore themes of growth and identity.
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Margaret Meek
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In the following essay, Margaret Meek praises Peter Dickinson's "The Blue Hawk" as a powerfully imagined spiritual autobiography, highlighting its vivid storytelling and the complex world-building that captivates readers while noting its appeal primarily to experienced readers seeking depth in narrative.
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The Crime of the Century
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In the following essay, Anatole Broyard argues that Peter Dickinson's "King and Joker" uses a fictional British royal family to explore themes of nobility, privacy invasion, and societal disillusionment, while showcasing Dickinson's evolving idiosyncratic style and character development.
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Peter Hunt
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In the following essay, Peter Hunt critiques Peter Dickinson's Annerton Pit for its overly contemporary plot and underdeveloped characters, while praising its masterful portrayal of the blind protagonist Jake and the novel's exploration of themes like perception, familial relationships, and internal fears.
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T. J. Binyon
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In the following essay, T. J. Binyon commends Peter Dickinson's Walking Dead for its portrayal of more believable characters and a lively society, despite noting a somewhat weak plot, ultimately appreciating the novel as an intelligent and witty work.
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Newgate Callendar
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In the following essay, the critic commends Peter Dickinson's inventive and sensitive writing style, highlighting his novel "Walking Dead" for its exploration of ethical dilemmas and the tension between old magic and new science, while noting the unexpected adherence to traditional murder mystery conventions.
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Ethel L. Heins
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In the following essay, Ethel L. Heins analyzes Peter Dickinson's novel Annerton Pit, highlighting its psychological depth and thematic complexity, comparing its horror elements to Poe and its psychological insights to Dostoevsky, while emphasizing the characters' moral struggles and the heroism of Jake.
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Margery Fisher
(summary)
In the following essay, Fisher praises Peter Dickinson's Tulku for its artful combination of adventure elements, character development, and thematic depth, highlighting the novel's skillful depiction of personal growth through its compelling narrative, vivid setting, and insightful use of imagery.