The way things are

by Roger McGough

In his first new book since "Defying Gravity" in 1993, Roger McGough mixes surreal nonsense with gentle humour.

Genres: Poetry

83 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I assume that by the time you read this
I will have written it.”

-‘Vague Assumptions’ - page 60

[Leila Anani · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who think's poetry is only for an elite few I urge you to check out Roger McGough - his poetry is witty, funny and easily understood - this volume is a great example. All poems have a wry sense of humour and really 'tell it like it is.'

As well as being accessible to all there are nods here for the literary minded to the likes of Auden, Baudelaire, Browning and Longfellow.

Particularly love The Wrong Beds, clutching at cheese straws, Balloon Fight, The Map and the four bad day at the ark stories set aboard Noah's ark.

This volume isn't quite as linguistically rich and clever as some of his other stuff but its tremendous fun and a great way to get poetry sceptics into verse!

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been slowly making my way through this collection of poems, there is alot of the wit and humour you would expect of Roger McGough as well as some that is more serious and touching. A few years ago, I went to a poetry reading at the Bristol Old Vic to see him and he read largely from this book - I can't help but "hear" these poems with a Liverpudlian accent (just don't ask me to do one - I can't!)

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read this about 12 years ago, but we had an event with Roger Mcgough last night so I thought I'd reread it. He was great, by the way. I'm no poetry expert, but this collection does not disappoint, with many laugh out loud moments alongside several touching poems.

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recommended this book to a young poet to support her writing & for inspiration. Roger writes poetry which "holds the coats" as a reader of poetry & a critic scrap it out. It's a brilliant book, peppered with humour.

[Marianne Broadgate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Cheeky, funny, thoughtful, sensitive, clever, short!