The Realms of Gold
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 1975 |
| Founder | Margaret Drabble |
| Products | Novel |
The Realms of Gold is a novel published in 1975 by the British writer Margaret Drabble. The story delves into the middle-aged journey of anthropologist Frances Wingate and her romantic involvement with Karel Schmidt.
Development
In an interview with The Paris Review, Drabble revealed the source of inspiration behind the novel:
Style
The narrative centers largely on Wingate's personal reflections. Critic Anatole Broyard noted the book's inclusion of "brilliant little essays" addressing various aspects of life and its challenges.
Critical reception
The critical response was varied. Broyard, writing for the New York Times, described the novel as "drenched with intelligence," yet suggested that this quality alone did not suffice. He drew comparisons unfavorably between Drabble's work and that of her contemporaries Edna O'Brien and Gail Godwin. Conversely, Kirkus Reviews commended the novel as "a conspicuous pleasure to read—a cheerful reconciliation of the exactions of the past and the possibilities that lie just ahead."