[Phineas is] concerned mainly with the psychological problems of American male adolescents. Admirers of Mr. Knowles's well-known novel, A Separate Peace, will recognize in the title story, as well as in "A Turn in the Sun," much of the source material for A Separate Peace. Competent, sophisticated, and a master of place description, Mr. Knowles also dramatizes as well as anyone I know the torments—especially the torments of ostracism—suffered by the sensitive and intelligent male adolescent. But when he gets off this subject he seems lost. In "The Peeping Tom," for example, he seems desperately and unsuccessfully to be searching for a subject worthy of his ambition and talent. (pp. 275-76)
James P. Degnan, "Sex Ex Machina and Other Problems," in The Kenyon Review (copyright 1969 by Kenyon College), Vol. 31, No. 2, 1969, pp. 272-77.∗
This is a free excerpt of 136 words. There are 141 words (approx.
1 page at 300 words per page) in the full critical essay.
Read the rest of this Criticism with our Knowles, John 1926–: Critical Essay by James P. Degnan Access Pass.
