Hugh Walpole: An Appreciation

Name: Hugh Walpole: An Appreciation
Author: Joseph Hergesheimer

By Joseph Hergesheimer

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Essays, Letters & Speeches

About This Book

The essay praises Hugh Walpole's gifts as a novelist, emphasizing his fusion of inner psychological forces and vivid external description, and argues that his work sustains a quality the critic calls magic. It surveys several novels, noting fresh perception, lyric passages, and resistance to prevailing materialistic trends, arguing that his characters remain both provincial and universal. Close analysis focuses on The Golden Scarecrow, describing its premise of childhood memories of a serene existence, its avoidance of cheap sentiment, and its vivid London settings such as March Square, while highlighting themes of innocence, accident, and pity tempered by resentment.

About the Author

Joseph Hergesheimer

Joseph Hergesheimer was an American novelist and short story writer known for his vivid and lyrical prose. Active in the early 20th century, he explored themes of love, ambition, and the complexities of human relationships. His notable works include "Cytherea," which delves into the intricacies of desire and identity, and "Java Head," a tale set against the backdrop of the East Indies that examines cultural clashes and personal transformation. Hergesheimer's writing often reflects a deep appreciation for the beauty of language and a keen insight into the human condition, contributing significantly to American literature during his time.