Figure of 8: narrative poems;

by Charles Causley

1969. No Edition Remarks. 86 pages. Pictorial dust jacket over green cloth. Black and white illustrations throughout. Binding remains firm. Pages and illustrations are lightly tanned throughout. Previous owner's inscriptions to front free endpaper. Water marking to edge of first few pages, text remains unaffected. Boards have light shelf-wear with corner bumping. Light tanning to spine and edges with crushing to spine ends. Clipped jacket has moderate edgewear with chips, tears, and creasing. Light tanning to spine and edges. Tape to top edges. Light foxing overall.

86 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1969

About the author

Charles Stanley Causley was born in Launceston in Cornwall, and spent most of his life there. After serving in the navy in the second world war (an experience he wrote about in Hands to Dance and Skylark), he worked as a teacher in Launceston and began publishing verse in the 1950s. His poetry includes many references to Cornwall and its legends, and in his later years he published many books of verse for children, several of which have been illustrated by prominent artists.

In addition to his poetry, Causley wrote plays, short stories and opera librettos. He was also a prolific editor of collections of poetry. In 1958 Causley was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and was awarded a CBE in 1986. Other awards include the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry in 1967. He was presented with the Heywood Hill Literary Prize in 2000. Between 1962 and 1966 he was a member of the Poetry Panel of the Arts Council of Great Britain.

Causley was very highly regarded by his fellow poets, and on his 70th birthday, many of them, including Ted Hughes, Elizabeth Jennings, Roger McGough and Seamus Heaney contributed to a collection of poetry and prose tributes published in his honour.

Charles Causley died in 2003.

Reviews

[Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating collection of narrative poems from Causley. All with a hint of the maritime to them, they tell of pirates and heroism, faith and folklore. Pitched to both adults and children alike, the narratives vary in rhyme and meter and celebrate the traditional lore and culture that so enamoured him.