The naturalistic novel: an appraisal

For over a decade critics have been announcing the death of the naturalistic novel. This mode of the novel, however, has shown a stubborn refusal to die and exhibits a sustained power to attract the general reading public. At times this power reaches a kind of apogee, reflected in the tremendous popular success of such works as The Naked and the Dead, From Here to Eternity, The Golden Arm and The Adventures of Augie Marsh.