Collected Poems

Description

The complete collection of Kingsley Amis's poems, as witty, scabrous and bracing as his celebrated novels Although best known for his comic novels, Kingsley Amis wrote poetry throughout his career. Collected Poems spans subjects from nature and cricket to love, ageing and literature, brimming with his characteristic wit and irreverence, yet full of compassion. 'The Last War' brings home the futility of battle by portraying countries as flawed characters destined for misfortune, while 'Their Oxford' reflects on the passing of time, and in contrast the playful 'Sight Unseen' laments the difficulty of attracting women. By turns provocative and poignant, this collection provides an illuminating glimpse into the heart and mind of Amis.

Kingsley Amis was born in south London in 1922 and was educated at the City of London School and St John's College, Oxford. After the sucess of Lucky Jim in 1954, Kingsley Amis wrote over twenty novels, including The Alteration (1976), winner of the John W. Campbell Memorial Award; The Old Devils (1986), winner of the Booker Prize; and The Biographer's Moustache (1995), which was to be his last book. He wrote ephemerally on politics, education, language, films, television, restaurants and drink. Kingsley Amis was awarded the CBE in 1981 and received a knighthood in 1990.

Amis has no faults. He is clever, witty, ironical * Guardian * Accomplished, literate and entertaining -- Clive James * New Statesman * 'Bare-knuckled, witty, light but never 'lite', outward-looking instead of inward-gazing - a kind of red-blooded vers de societe' -- David Yezzi * The New Criterion *