The Writer's Voice

Reviews / Votes

'Eloquent essays, rich in anecdote, from the hand of a true and lifelong servant of poetry' J.M. Coetzee 'An impressive performance by a poet who allows nothing to come between him and the literature he loves. His book should not be neglected by anybody with a serious interest in modern literature and literary criticism' Frank Kermode 'If you want a reminder of what writing is really about, you have only to turn to an elegant little book of essays' Robert McCrum, Observer 'Is there a more charming literary companion than Al Alvarez? To read this book is to feel the shutters of the mind being slowly jemmied apart, an agonising delight ... This is a beautifully presented volume, and a rarity among works of criticism in that it is likely to change your behaviour. Any sane reader will give up buying books for a few months and scamper back, shame-faced but full of excitement, to the riches of his dusty shelves' Spectator