Imprint
- John Murray
Poetry, Prose: non-fiction
A delightful anthology of Betjeman's greatest poetry and prose
John Betjeman, appointed Poet Laureate in 1972, is celebrated as the best loved poet of the twentieth century. His subtle blend of wit and melancholia, affection and criticism continues to attract an ever-expanding readership. From beneath his sparkling wit and deceptively simple nostalgia, Betjeman emerges as the authority on a broad range of subjects from conservation and church architecture to tradition and Englishness.
In this selection of his greatest poetry and prose, cherished classics such as Slough, Pot Pourri from a Surrey Garden and A Subaltern’s Love-song sit beside rare gems like Metro-land, Betjeman’s critically acclaimed film script.
Praise for The Best of Betjeman
-
His humour is remarkably versatile, for it can be used to serve both his deepest love and his most remorseless hatred - Observer
-
His poems spring from what he really feels about real life, and as a result he brings back to poetry a sense of dramatic urgency it had all but lost - Philip Larkin
-
Betjeman is perhaps as completely original a writer as has ever existed - Times Literary Supplement
-
This "best of", which shows just why Betjeman came to be regarded with more affection than any other poet of the 20th century, lives up to the claim with a selection of his greatest poetry and prose - Western Daily Press
-
Who could ever tire of the amusing and poignant pictures he painted in verses... - Oxford Times
Find a book you’ll love, get our Word Up newsletter
.png?auto=compress&w=150&h=60&fit=crop&fm=jpg)
.png?auto=compress&w=150&h=60&fit=crop&fm=jpg)
Hachette Australia acknowledges and pays our respects to the past, present and future Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our head office is located on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.
