[What] matters most in Ann Beattie's short stories and novels is her absolute ear and her masterly deadpan humor. When the two work together, the results are dazzling….
Ann Beattie's characters have an autonomous quality, as if they had stepped whole into her novel from somewhere else. She pores over them, then tells us how they work. (p. 148)
This is a free excerpt of 58 words. There are 233 words (approx.
1 page at 300 words per page) in the full critical essay.
Read the rest of this Criticism with our Beattie, Ann 1947–: Critical Essay by Whitney Balliett Access Pass.
