Sentenced to life: poems 2011--2014

Description

"Represent[s] the very best work James has ever done in verse."--Jason Guriel, New Republic. In this new collection of "technically and emotionally heart-stopping poems" (Spectator)--including "Japanese Maple," which was published in The New Yorker to great acclaim--Clive James looks back over an extraordinarily rich life with a clear-eyed and unflinching honesty. There are regrets but no trace of self-pity in these verses, which--for all their grappling with death and illness--are primarily a celebration of what is treasurable and memorable in our time here. Again and again, James reminds us that he is not only a poet of effortless wit and lyric accomplishment but also an immensely wise one, who delights in using poetic form to bring a razor-sharp focus to his thought. Miraculously, these poems see James writing with his insight and energy not just undiminished but positively charged by his situation. The poems of Sentenced to Life represent a career high point for one of the greatest literary intellects of our age. Sentenced to life -- Driftwood houses -- Landfall -- Early to bed -- My home -- Holding court -- Procedure for disposal -- Manly ferry -- Tempe dump -- Living doll -- Event horizon -- Nature programme -- Managing anger -- Echo point -- Too much light -- My latest fever -- Emperor's last words -- Compendium catullianum -- Bugsy Siegel's flying eye -- Only the immortal need apply -- Plot points -- One elephant, two elephant -- Asma unpacks her pretty clothes -- Nina Kogan's geometrical heaven -- Star system -- Change of domicile -- Rounded with a sleep -- Elementary sonnet -- Lecons de tenebres -- Winter plums -- Spring snow dancer -- Mysterious arrival of the dew -- Cabin baggage -- Transit visa -- Japanese maple -- Balcony scene -- Sunset hails a rising.