Thomas Amory Criticism
Thomas Amory (1691?-1788) was an English novelist noted for his unconventional works, Memoirs: Containing the Lives of Several Ladies of Great Britain and The Life of John Buncle, Esq. These texts diverge from the traditional novel structure, blending philosophical, theological, and scientific discussions with fantastical plots. Amory's background remains largely speculative, with some biographical details inferred from his works. Born into an Irish family, he spent considerable time in Ireland before settling in London. His Memoirs features accounts of remarkable women discussing Unitarian theology, possibly reflecting Amory's own religious convictions. The Life of John Buncle, Esq. follows a protagonist involved in intellectual dialogues during his successive marriages to scholarly women, presenting excerpts of Enlightenment thought drawn from figures like John Locke and Voltaire.
Amory's works initially perplexed contemporaries, with the Critical Review labeling The Life of John Buncle, Esq. as "nonsense." However, during the Romantic period, critics such as William Hazlitt and Charles Lamb appreciated his vivid depictions of nature, even likening him to Rabelais for his creation of dynamic characters. Despite this, Amory's reputation waned post-Romanticism, and his novels are today regarded as literary curiosities rather than cohesive narratives. Critics often compare him to Laurence Sterne, noting that unlike Sterne’s Tristram Shandy, Amory's narratives are perceived more as treatises on his philosophical interests. Nonetheless, his works are acknowledged for their humor and imaginative characters, as noted in reviews such as the Review of The Life of John Buncle, Esq. and Gosse's essay, which commends their picturesque quality and intellectual breadth. Others, like Ian Campbell Ross, highlight the influence of Irish storytelling traditions in his works.
Contents
- Principal Works
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Essays
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Review of The Life of John Buncle, Esq.
(summary)
In the following review of The Life of John Buncle, Esq., published in 1766, the reviewer finds the narrative absurd and improbable, particularly in comparison with Amory's earlier work. The reviewer, however, praises the book for its imaginativeness as well as its strong advocacy of the principles of Unitarianism.
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The Life of John Buncle
(summary)
In the following essay, Gosse acknowledges the odd nature of The Life of John Buncle, Esq., but commends its picturesqueness, the wide range of learning Amory displays, the tenderness of its romantic passages, and the author's delight in the beauty and variety of the natural world.
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Introduction to The Life and Opinions of John Buncle, Esq.
(summary)
In the following essay, Baker explores the source of the appeal that The Life of John Buncle, Esq. has for readers interested in literary curiosities: the book's vigor, frankness, and ability to unfold the title character's nature.
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Some Literary Eccentrics
(summary)
In the following essay, Fyvie contends that the purpose of The Life of John Buncle, Esq. was to explicate Unitarian religious principles.
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The Real Thomas Amory
(summary)
In the following essay, Esdaile offers an autobiographical interpretation of The Life of John Buncle, Esq.
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History of the Pre-Romantic Novel in England
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Foster examines Amory's Memoirs and The Life of John Buncle, Esq., emphasizing that both works reflect the author's strong belief in the tenets of eighteenth-century deism.
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Lessing and Amory
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Jones presents an overview of The Life of John Buncle, Esq., in the context of a larger discussion of German dramatist Gotthold Lessing's interest in Amory's theological thought.
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Thomas Amory, John Buncle, and the Origins of Irish Fiction
(summary)
In the following essay, Ross suggests that The Life of John Buncle, Esq. derives from traditional Irish oral storytelling, noting particularly the work's reliance on anecdote, elements of fantasy, and its distinctive, eccentric narrator.
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Review of The Life of John Buncle, Esq.
(summary)
- Further Reading