The Folks That Live on the Hill explained

The Folks That Live on the Hill
Author:Kingsley Amis
Cover Artist:Matthew Cook
Country:United Kingdom
Language:English
Genre:Comedy novel
Publisher:Hutchinson
Release Date:1990
Media Type:Print (hardback & paperback)
Pages:246 pp
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]

Notes and References

  1. News: Pritchard . William H. . The Folks That Live On The Hill . The New York Times . July 1990 .
  2. Book: Amis, Kingsley. The folks that live on the hill. April 18, 1990. Hutchinson. 978-0-09-174137-2 . 1625242M. The Open Library.
  3. Book: The Folks That Live on the Hill . 9780745172552. Amis. Kingsley. 1991. Chivers .
  4. Parrinder . Patrick . Uncle Kingsley . London Review of Books . 22 March 1990 . 12 . 6 .
  5. Lyons . Gene . Entertainment Weekly . .
  6. Web site: The Folks That Live on the Hill . Kirkusreviews.com.
  7. Web site: The Folks That Live on the Hill . Publishersweekly.com.