The Folks That Live on the Hill
1990 novel by Kingsley Amis
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The Folks That Live on the Hill is Kingsley Amis's twentieth novel,[1] published in 1990.[2]
Cover of first edition (hardcover) | |
| Author | Kingsley Amis |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Matthew Cook |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Comedy novel |
| Publisher | Hutchinson |
| Publication date | 1990 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
| Pages | 246 pp |
| ISBN | 0-09-1741378 |
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]
