Ruth Prawer Jhabvala : a critical introduction and annotated bibliography
Date
1983
Authors
Crane, Ralph Jonathan
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Abstract
The introductory essay begins with a short biography, which stresses the importance of Ruth Prawer Jhabvala's background in relation to her writing. The novels from To Whom She Will to Heat and Dust are discussed thematically, in chronological order. The author's early interest in peculiarly Indian subjects such as the joint-family and the problems of arranged marriage is examined, as well as her increasing interest in European characters in India in the later novels. The range of the short stories is shown, and the interest in European characters, particularly the young spiritual seekers prominent in A New Dominion and Heat and Dust, is discussed in relation to three stories. The conclusion gives a brief analysis of the critical reception of her works, .and considers whether Mrs. Jhabvala is an Indian or an English novelist. Finally, her present status as a writer is assessed.
To date Ruth Prawer Jhabvala has published nine novels and four volumes of short stories, besides numerous uncollected short stories in American, English and Indian magazines; she has also written a considerable number of screenplays. The bibliography, which aims to be comprehensive only to the end of 1981, begins with a discussion of procedure. The primary section attempts to list all Mrs. Jhabvala's published work under the following subdivisions: books, contributions to books, contributions to periodicals, screenplays and television plays, and miscellaneous. The secondary section, which is annotated, includes interviews and profiles, critical studies, and book reviews.