Sixty Poems

by Rudyard Kipling

Genres: Poetry

179 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1939

About the author

Joseph Rudyard Kipling was a journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist.

Kipling's works of fiction include The Jungle Book (1894), Kim (1901), and many short stories, including The Man Who Would Be King (1888). His poems include Mandalay (1890), Gunga Din (1890), The Gods of the Copybook Headings (1919), The White Man's Burden (1899), and If— (1910). He is regarded as a major innovator in the art of the short story; his children's books are classics of children's literature; and one critic described his work as exhibiting "a versatile and luminous narrative gift".

Kipling was one of the most popular writers in the United Kingdom, in both prose and verse, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Henry James said: "Kipling strikes me personally as the most complete man of genius (as distinct from fine intelligence) that I have ever known." In 1907, at the age of 41, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the first English-language writer to receive the prize, and its youngest recipient to date. He was also sounded out for the British Poet Laureateship and on several occasions for a knighthood, both of which he declined.

Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907 "in consideration of the power of observation, originality of imagination, virility of ideas and remarkable talent for narration which characterize the creations of this world-famous author."

Kipling kept writing until the early 1930s, but at a slower pace and with much less success than before. On the night of 12 January 1936, Kipling suffered a haemorrhage in his small intestine. He underwent surgery, but died less than a week later on 18 January 1936 at the age of 70 of a perforated duodenal ulcer. Kipling's death had in fact previously been incorrectly announced in a magazine, to which he wrote, "I've just read that I am dead. Don't forget to delete me from your list of subscribers."

Reviews

[Owen Hatherley · Rating 3 out of 5]

So cancelled he was cancelled a century ago and very rightly so but a weirdly fascinating writer for many reasons

[Ethan Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful, this collection of poems contains all of Kipling's greatest work and is a must for anyone who is a fan of one of the greatest minds to ever exist.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was about 12 years old when I heard one of my teachers read a Kipling poem in morning Assembly - he read "The Ballad of Gunga Din". I loved it and asked my parents for this book for Christmas. So, after 50 years I've finally read it cover to cover.
There are some well-known classic poems here, like "If, " and "Mandalay" and the "Just-So" animal poems.
But in all honesty, I don't enjoy reading Kipling. This is partly because of the words frequently used which are drawn from military and colonial service, which I can't relate to or even understand sometimes.
But mostly, I don't enjoy reading Kipling because of what he represents - the old Colonial Victorian England. It smacks of an old white supremacy that bred on the playing fields of public schools, that 'lorded it' over India and unashamedly hints at infidelity with Burmese women. I despise the religious-yet-dead portrayal of Christianity as the socially acceptable, middle class hypocrisy it represented. (Not the living, beautiful Jesus I know). And I do not like the open avowal of Kipling's freemasonry so openly described in his poem "The Mother Lodge".
I like one or two poems. And I acknowledge his place as a poet. But mostly I don't like Mr. Kipling's poetry, even if he does make "exceedingly good cakes".

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the clear connections between the poet and the days of glorious empire, it's not surprising that Kipling's star has waned to the point of cancellation. This is unfortunate, however, and this collection gives a clear indication of why.

Yes, there's an inextricable link between Kipling and the "white raj", but it's clear in his words that Kipling's predisposition was towards the nobility of the human, no matter who they were and where they were from - a subtle undermining of the imperial views which many see him espousing. Clearly there is an underlying influence of the writer's background - sharply brought into focus by section titles such as "England and Empire" - but the words themselves tell a different story, one in which it is the strength and character of the individual, irrespective of their origins, that is important. Gunga Din was indeed the better man, and Kipling has no qualms in saying so.

For all that, divorcing the man from his surpoundings is impossible, and many of the works come across as intriguing period pieces from a bygone age. Yet the warmth of character in many of these works is still clear, as is the well-written nature of the words. Dated by changes in the world for sure, but these poems still have relevance and resonance to this day.

[Sandy]

Kipling had an amazing ability to turn a verse. IF will always be my favorite.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

on the precipice of playing the Pierian lyre.

best lines:

"If":
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And - which is more - you’ll be a Man, my son!


"When Earth’s last picture is painted":
… and each, in his separate star,
Shall draw the Thing as he sees It for the God of Things as They are!