Russell Hoban Criticism
Russell Hoban, an American novelist born in 1925, is renowned for his innovative contributions to both children's literature and adult fiction. Initially celebrated for his children’s stories featuring anthropomorphic animals, Hoban transitioned to adult fiction with works like The Lion of Boaz-Jachin and Jachin-Boaz and Kleinzeit. In these novels, he retained the magical and whimsical elements characteristic of his earlier works but shifted focus to allegorical narratives exploring profound metaphysical themes. Hoban's distinctive style is marked by a playful use of language that complements his exploration of life's significant patterns amidst threatening and chaotic worlds.
One of Hoban's most acclaimed novels, Riddley Walker, is praised for its originality and linguistic inventiveness. Set in a post-apocalyptic future after a nuclear catastrophe, the novel employs a unique, phonetically-based English, reflecting the degradation of civilization. Critics like Victoria Glendinning laud its innovative language and profound exploration of knowledge, while others like Marion Glastonbury and Jennifer Uglow note its challenging narrative style and ambitious themes. The novel combines elements of quest romance and science fiction, transforming Christian allegory to critique power dynamics, as explored by Michael Dirda. Despite some criticism of its character development, as noted by Benjamin DeMott, Riddley Walker remains a testament to Hoban's imaginative prowess and his ability to engage readers with thought-provoking themes and innovative storytelling. This novel's impact has solidified Hoban's place in literary discussions, akin to the cult status of Tolkien's works.
Contents
- Hoban, Russell C(onwell) (Vol. 7)
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Hoban, Russell C(onwell) (Vol. 25)
- The Times Literary Supplement
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In Jugular Vein
(summary)
The critic contends that while Russell Hoban's novel Kleinzeit initially appears confusing, it masterfully employs whimsical language and personification to create a cohesive and impactful narrative, transforming trivial elements into significant contributions to the novel's depth.
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The 1 Big 1
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In the following essay, Victoria Glendinning argues that Russell Hoban's Riddley Walker is an extraordinarily original work set in a post-apocalyptic future, praised for its innovative language, profound exploration of knowledge and perception, and its lasting impact as a cult novel.
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Incommunicable Secrets
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In the following essay, Marion Glastonbury critiques Russell Hoban's Riddley Walker for its challenging narrative style and ambitious metaphysical themes, asserting that while the novel contains intricate structure and poignant characters, its overarching message of survival ultimately falls into bathos.
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Leavin the Worl Behynt
(summary)
In the following essay, Jennifer Uglow critiques Russell Hoban's Riddley Walker as a novel whose innovative use of language successfully conveys a post-apocalyptic society's altered consciousness, but argues that its plot and philosophical ambitions are less compelling than its vivid world-building and linguistic ingenuity.
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Books and Writers: Five of the Best
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In the following essay, Penelope Lively praises Russell Hoban's Riddley Walker for its compelling narrative and innovative language, highlighting its exploration of human nature and memory, while acknowledging its unique world-building and the author's imaginative prowess.
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Riddling Out a Canterbury Tale
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In the following essay, Michael Dirda explores how Russell Hoban's "Riddley Walker" combines quest romance, science fiction, and linguistic experimentation to examine themes of language interpretation and self-understanding, while transforming Christian mythology into a powerful allegory of atomic energy.
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2,000 Years after the Berstyn Fyr
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In the following essay, Benjamin DeMott argues that Russell Hoban's "Riddley Walker" is an original and fiercely imaginative work that critiques the power-obsessed while reviving awareness of civilization's valuable resources, despite some flaws in character development and a complex theme of flight.
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Past, Present & Future
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In the following essay, A. Alvarez argues that Russell Hoban's "Riddley Walker" is a remarkable and original transformation of "Huckleberry Finn," set in a post-apocalyptic future, where its young protagonist navigates a desolate world with an instinctual understanding, emphasizing the novel's linguistic innovation and depth.
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Reviews: 'Riddley Walker'
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In the following essay, Penelope Mesic praises Russell Hoban's use of inventive language and vivid imagination in "Riddley Walker," appreciating his ability to make a bleak post-apocalyptic world both thought-provoking and engaging, while restoring the beauty of language and the horror of Earth's ruin.