The Folks That Live on the Hill is Kingsley Amis's twentieth novel,[1] published in 1990.[2]
 Cover of first edition (hardcover) | |
| Author | Kingsley Amis |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Matthew Cook |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Comedy novel |
| Publisher | Hutchinson |
Publication date | 1990 |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
| Pages | 246 pp |
| ISBN | 0-09-1741378 |
The novel's protagonist Harry Caldecote, a retired librarian, lives in the fictional Shepherd's Hill area of North London, in fact Primrose Hill.[3] Harry is twice divorced and lives with his sister Clare. The novel describes the interaction of Harry's extended family, son Piers, brother Freddie, sister-in-law Desiree and Fiona and Bunty, who are relatives of his former wives, from the viewpoint of the principal characters.[4] Amis lampoons the attitudes and lifestyles of the North London chattering classes.[5]
Reception edit
This work was compared favourably with Amis' Booker Prize-winning novel The Old Devils.[6] This late 20th century 'comedy of manners'[4] was described as 'cheerful and gregarious as a crowded saloon bar'.[4] It was also described as 'a pleasant, rambling, sometimes touching tale'.[7]
References edit
- ^ Pritchard, William H. "The Folks That Live On The Hill". The New York Times.
- ^ Amis, Kingsley (18 April 1990). The folks that live on the hill. Hutchinson. ISBN 978-0-09-174137-2. OL 1625242M – via The Open Library.
- ^ Amis, Kingsley (1991). The Folks That Live on the Hill. Chivers. ISBN 9780745172552.
- ^ a b c Parrinder, Patrick (22 March 1990). "London Review of Books". Vol. 12, no. 6.
{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires|magazine=(help) - ^ Lyons, Gene. "Entertainment Weekly". Entertainment Weekly.
- ^ "The Folks That Live on the Hill". Kirkusreviews.com.
- ^ "The Folks That Live on the Hill". Publishersweekly.com.
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