Orpheus in Winter: Morley Callaghan's The Loved and the Lost

Don Precosky teaches English at the College of New Caledonia and is the
co-editor of Four Realities: Poets of Northern B.C.

In this conscientiously written, well-organized, and honest book, even
the author is a bit apologetic about writing a study of The Loved and
the Lost: “So far, this novel has been generally considered
[Callaghan’s] best. Exactly why this is so is not that clear. Its form
is relatively conventional; its style is somewhat old-fashioned even for
1951. It has never been considered a landmark in Canadian fiction.” A
search of the Works Cited reveals that the most recent article
specifically on the novel is dated 1987, and the next most recent is
from 1981, both by the same scholar. In other words, there is hardly a
lively critical debate under way about the book.

After stating his reservations, however, Orange goes on to argue that
The Loved and the Lost is an important book because it represents a
turning point in Callaghan’s career, is carefully crafted, and has
“obvious wide appeal.” (I would add that the subject it deals
with—race relations—is certainly important.) His thorough analysis
of the novel touches on such topics as point of view, irony, form,
structure, characterization, and various interpretations of
Callaghan’s message.