The New Oxford Book of Light Verse

by Kingsley Amis (Editor)

This delightful anthology celebrates a rich and pleasing--if often underrated--tradition of English writing. The choice of poems reflects the great variety of light verse as well as the tastes and views of its distinguished editor. The selections range from genial satire to nonsense verse,
from epigrams to limericks. More than 250 poems by some 80 authors provide a witty and consistently entertaining survey of English verse from Rochester and Ben Jonson to Anthony Powell and Philip Larkin.
As Mr. Amis explains in a lively introduction, the principles on which he based this selection differ from those used by W.H. Auden in selecting for The Oxford Book of Light Verse (first published in 1938). Auden's definition of "light" was closer to "popular" than "humorous." Amis's
collection--which includes familiar favorites as well as previously unpublished masterpieces--is lighter in heart, closer to a modern understanding of the meaning of "light."

Genres: Poetry, Anthologies

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Best known novels of British writer Sir Kingsley William Amis include Lucky Jim (1954) and The Old Devils (1986).

This English poet, critic, and teacher composed more than twenty-three collections, short stories, radio and television scripts, and books of social and literary criticism. He fathered Martin Amis.

William Robert Amis, a clerk of a mustard manufacturer, fathered him. He began his education at the city of London school, and went up to college of Saint John, Oxford, in April 1941 to read English; he met Philip Larkin and formed the most important friendship of his life. After only a year, the Army called him for service in July 1942. After serving as a lieutenant in the royal corps of signals in the Second World War, Amis returned to Oxford in October 1945 to complete his degree. He worked hard and got a first in English in 1947, and then decided to devote much of his time.

Pen names: [authorRobert Markham|553548] and William Bill Tanner

Reviews

[J Grimsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A joy to read. Try " Say no Araminter, Say No"

[Ian Carmichael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think my favourite is C S Lewis' "Evolutionary Hymn", but "The Motor Bus" is also rather good - if your Latin declensions are sound. Plenty to amuse.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A large collection of amusing, ironic and satirical verse. Mostly very good and worth reading, though Amis's selection was a bit off when it came to himself and his contemporaries.