The Folks That Live on the Hill

1990 novel by Kingsley Amis

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]

References

^ Pritchard, William H. "The Folks That Live On The Hill". The New York Times.
^ Amis, Kingsley (18 April 1990). The folks that live on the hill. Hutchinson. ISBN 978-0-09-174137-2. OL 1625242M – via The Open Library.
^ Amis, Kingsley (1991). The Folks That Live on the Hill. Chivers. ISBN 9780745172552.
^ ^a ^b ^c Parrinder, Patrick (22 March 1990). "London Review of Books". Vol. 12, no. 6. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
^ Lyons, Gene. "Entertainment Weekly". Entertainment Weekly.
^ "The Folks That Live on the Hill". Kirkusreviews.com.
^ "The Folks That Live on the Hill". Publishersweekly.com.