Yarborough (novel)
 1st edition cover | |
| Author | B. H. Friedman |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Literary fiction |
| Published |
|
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 374 (1st edition) |
| ISBN | 9798218078997 |
Yarborough is a literary fiction novel by B. H. Friedman. It was published on November 9, 1964 by World Publishing Company and received mixed reviews.
Plot
[edit]Yarborough follows Arthur Skelton, a professional bridge player, as he tries to find meaning in his life.
Development history
[edit]Publication history
[edit]The novel was first published on November 9, 1964, by World Publishing Company.[1] It was republished in 2022 by Tough Poets Press, a small press dedicated to publishing out-of-print classics.[2]
Explanation of novel's title
[edit]In the game of bridge, "yarborough" is a term used to describe a hand with no card higher than a nine, which generally makes it impossible to win the game.[3] Several reviews connected the concept of a yarborough to Arthur Skelton's life circumstances.[4][5]
Reception
[edit]Yarborough divided critics upon release. Positive reviews tended to praise Friedman's prose and the story, while negative reviews criticized those aspects. A retrospective review on The Neglected Books Page characterized the critical divide as primarily being one between East Coast critics and Midwestern critics.[6]
Kirkus Reviews noted that the book touched on similar themes as Friedman's first novel, Circles, which was published in 1962.[1] The Kansas City Star praised Friedman for avoiding some of the more technical details of bridge and wrote that "Friedman's achievement is to make us like so thoroughly and believe so thoroughly in a man who believes in so little."[4] The News & Observer wrote positively about the story and compared Friedman to Thomas Wolfe.[5] A review in the Chicago Tribune described the novel as a "direct and powerful" presentation of existentialism, while The Cincinnati Enquirer recommended it to "bridge fanatic[s]" and "dope fiend[s]."[7][8]
The New York Review of Books' Philip Rahv described the book as "readable enough" but criticized Friedman for flat characterization and writing an unsatisfying ending.[9] In England, The Daily Telegraph criticized Friedman for his excessive use of profanity.[10] A review in the San Francisco Examiner acknowledged Friedman's talent as a writer but criticized the novel's tone.[11] Pierre Fourrier, writing in the Los Angeles Times, said that the novel was "no more successful" than the bridge hand its title was derived from and described Friedman's prose as "often a drag."[12]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Yarborough". Kirkus Reviews. 1964-11-01. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
- ^ "Yarborough". Tough Poets Press. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
- ^ Manley, Brent; Horton, Mark; Greenberg-Yarbo, Tracey; Rigal, Barry, eds. (2011). The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge (7th ed.). Horn Lake: American Contract Bridge League. p. 196. ISBN 978-0-939460-99-1. OL 19951792W. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
- ^ a b O'Leary, Theodore M. (1964-11-15). "Courage To Lack Conviction". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. 79. Retrieved 2023-01-21 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Rabon, Roy (1964-12-20). "Life's Most Abstract Hand". The News and Observer. Raleigh, North Carolina. p. 41. Retrieved 2023-01-21 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Nix, David (2010-07-04). "David Nix recommends B. H. Friedman's "Yarborough"". The Neglected Books Page. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
- ^ Whitman, Digby B. (1964-12-27). "Escape Rather than Reality". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. p. 167. Retrieved 2023-01-21 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Weigel, John A. (1965-01-23). "Take Dope? Play Bridge? This Is For You". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Cincinnati, Ohio. p. 8. Retrieved 2023-01-21 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Rahv, Philip (1965-04-08). "New American Fiction". The New York Review of Books. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
- ^ Berridge, Elizabeth (1965-12-30). "Living for a Game of Cards". The Daily Telegraph. London, Greater London, England. p. 14. Retrieved 2023-01-21 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Gold, Arthur (1964-12-13). "Good hand, no slam". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. p. 156. Retrieved 2023-01-21 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Fourrier, Pierre (1964-11-29). "A Losing hand in Bridge World". The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. p. 629. Retrieved 2023-01-21 – via Newspapers.com.