Ellis Sharp Sharply Critical

Annotation

In this wide-ranging collection of essays and reviews, the novelist and short story writer Ellis Sharp analyses the work of novelists, poets, historians and film makers, including Ian McEwan, Paul Celan and David Lean. Topics covered include the hidden meanings of Jane Eyre, the problems involved in establishing Shakespeare's identity and the reputations of Angela Carter, Douglas Haig and Orde Wingate. Sharp scrutinises in detail Ian McEwan's response to the invasion of Iraq and the politics enshrined in his novel Saturday, as well as attitudes to Israel exemplified by critical responses to the novelists Aharon Appelfeld and Amos Oz. Other subjects covered include Rimbaud, Robert Mitchum, a favourite film of Stalin's and Ann Quin's final novel Trypticks.