The Folks That Live on the Hill
ISBN 0-09-1741378 | |
The Folks That Live on the Hill is Kingsley Amis's twentieth novel,[1] published in 1990.[2]
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
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
- ^ Pritchard, William H. "The Folks That Live On The Hill". The New York Times.
- OL 1625242M– via The Open Library.
- ISBN 9780745172552.
- ^ a b c Parrinder, Patrick. "London Review of Books".
- ^ Lyons, Gene. "Entertainment Weekly".
- ^ "The Folks That Live on the Hill". Kirkusreviews.com.
- ^ "The Folks That Live on the Hill". Publishersweekly.com.