The Gates of Ivory is a 1991 novel by novelist Margaret Drabble. [1] The novel is the third in a series of novels, following The Radiant Way and A Natural Curiosity. The novel continues the stories of several middle aged intellectuals introduced in the last two novels. [2] The novel also introduces a new character, Stephen Cox who is loosely based on J.G. Farrell. [3]
The novel includes metafiction reflecting on the choices Drabble made while writing the novel. [2] The novel also includes a bibliography referencing a number of works which provide background and connections for the rest of the novel. [4]
The novel's narratives that rotate between both the present and flashbacks narratives from each of the main characters. [2] The novel also introduces characters from The Needle's Eye. [2]
New York Times reviewer Linda Simon was disappointed with the novel, writing "intellectually stimulating and, as we might expect from Ms. Drabble, very smart. But ideas do not make a novel. Characters do." [2] Publishers Weekly describes the novel as "command[ing] awe even as [Drabble's] subject matter rouses immeasurable stores of pity and terror." [5]
The Gates of Ivory is a 1991 novel by novelist Margaret Drabble. [1] The novel is the third in a series of novels, following The Radiant Way and A Natural Curiosity. The novel continues the stories of several middle aged intellectuals introduced in the last two novels. [2] The novel also introduces a new character, Stephen Cox who is loosely based on J.G. Farrell. [3]
The novel includes metafiction reflecting on the choices Drabble made while writing the novel. [2] The novel also includes a bibliography referencing a number of works which provide background and connections for the rest of the novel. [4]
The novel's narratives that rotate between both the present and flashbacks narratives from each of the main characters. [2] The novel also introduces characters from The Needle's Eye. [2]
New York Times reviewer Linda Simon was disappointed with the novel, writing "intellectually stimulating and, as we might expect from Ms. Drabble, very smart. But ideas do not make a novel. Characters do." [2] Publishers Weekly describes the novel as "command[ing] awe even as [Drabble's] subject matter rouses immeasurable stores of pity and terror." [5]