The Folks That Live on the Hill
File:Book cover The Folks That Live on the Hill.jpg
Cover of first edition (hardcover)
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Author | Kingsley Amis |
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Cover artist | Matthew Cook |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Genre | Comedy novel |
Publisher | Hutchinson |
Publication date
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1990 |
Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
Pages | 246 pp |
ISBN | 0-09-1741378 |
The Folks That Live on the Hill is Kingsley Amis's 20th novel,[1] first published in 1990.[2]
The novel's protagonist is Harry Caldecote, a retired librarian living in a fictional 'Shepherd's Hill' area of North London, suggested in fact to be Primrose Hill.[3] Harry is twice divorced and lives with his sister Clare. The novel describes the interaction of Harry's extended family of son Piers, brother Freddie, sister-in-law Desiree and Fiona and Bunty who are relatives of his former wives. The narration takes place in turn, from the viewpoint of the principal characters of the novel.[4] In this work, 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
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