Synopses & Reviews
Editor Barry Day has collected the definitive edition on Noel Coward's verse including all the work in the three-volumes published in Coward's lifetime plus rare, previously unpublished material Coward sent to family and friends. This new edition paints a more full and vivid portrait of this totally unique writer, known for his quick wit and insatiable interest in people and his skillful rendering of their public and private lives on stage.
The book is arranged in theme chapters on a wide variety of chapters including: war, theatre, love, friends, travel, and God and the infinite and is sprinkled with illustrations throughout. It also features the satirical "cod-pieces:—Chelsea Buns and Spangled Unicorn—and the verse collected in the 1967 volume Not Yet the Dodo.
Day's insightful narrative links the verse in the events of Coward's life.
Synopsis
The Complete Verse of Noel Coward brings together the three volumes of verse produced during his lifetime together with previously unpublished material for the very first time. For the legions of fans of The Master, this definitive collection of Coward's verse writings will prove irresistible.
'Throughout most of the years of my life, since approximately 1908, I have derived a considerable amount of private pleasure from writing verse . . . It is an inherent instinct in the English character.' Beginning with his youthful verse experiments, The Complete Verse arranges in themed chapters Coward's prolific public and personal verse writings. Chapters bring together his verse on a wide variety of subjects including war, the theatre, love, friends, travel, and God and the infinite.
It features the satirical 'cod-pieces' - Chelsea Buns and Spangled Unicorn - and the verse collected in the 1967 volume Not Yet the Dodo. But alongside these are the verses sent to friends and family over many years, in letters, memos and cables, which paint a vivid portrait of his more private life and are published here for the first time.
With a linking commentary by editor Barry Day and sprinkled with illustrations throughout, The Complete Verse offers to Coward readers further enjoyment and appreciation of his wit, insatiable interest in people and skilful rendering of his public and private lives.
About the Author
Barry Day has written extensively on Noel Coward. His most recent works are the acclaimed, The Letters of Noel Coward and In His Own Words. He was awarded an OBE for services to British Culture in the United States.