Losing Battles

I tried to see if I could make everything shown, brought forth, without benefit of the author’s telling any more about what was going on inside the characters’ minds and hearts.

[1] The novel's reception was generally very positive, with many critics praising its "geniality and humour".

[3] New York Times reviewer and academic James Boatwright gave strong praise, calling it "a beautiful and valuable novel" which had an "overwhelming effect [that] is comic—lyrical and touching.

"[1] Joyce Carol Oates was not as enthusiastic, describing it as "entertainment", and less successful at probing the characters' "psychological concerns".

[3] Scholar Larry J. Reynolds challenged that assessment, noting that "beneath its entertaining surface [is an] intense struggle for survival [...] subtly and carefully told.