The King's English (Penguin Modern Classics) - Softcover

Amis, Kingsley

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0141194316 ISBN 13: 9780141194318

Publisher: Penguin Classics, 2011

Synopsis

An indispensable companion for readers, writers, and even casual users of the language, the Penguin Modern Classics edition of Kingsley Amis's The King's English features a new introduction by Martin Amis.

The King's English is Kingsley Amis's authoritative and witty guide to the use and abuse of the English language. A scourge of illiteracy and a thorn in the side of pretension, Amis provides indispensable advice about the linguistic blunders that lie in wait for us, from danglers and four-letter words to jargon and even Welsh rarebit. If you have ever wondered whether it's acceptable to start a sentence with 'and', to boldly split an infinitive, or to cross your sevens in the French style, Amis has the answer - or a trenchant opinion. By turns reflective, acerbic and provocative, The King's English is for anyone who cares about how the English language is used.

Kingsley Amis (1922-1995), born in London, wrote poetry, criticism, and short stories, but is best remembered as the novelist whose works offered a comic deconstruction of post-war Britain. Amis explored his disillusionment with British society in novels such as Lucky Jim (1954) and That Uncertain Feeling (1955); his other works include The Green Man (1970) Stanley and the Women (1984), and The Old Devils (1986) which won the Booker Prize.

If you enjoyed The King's English you might like Amis's Lucky Jim, also available in Penguin Modern Classics.

'A terrific book ... learned, robust, aggressive, extremely funny'
Sebastian Faulks

About this title

Review:

A terrific book ... learned, robust, aggressive, extremely funny (Sebastian Faulks)

From the Back Cover:

Sir Kingsley Amis occupied a unique position in the world of English letters. As well as being one of the most successful and influential novelists since the war, he was a poet, critic and prolific anthologiser. In all his work, and throughout his life, the use and abuse of the English language was one of his principal concerns. His last book, 'The King's English', entertainingly, authoritatively and concisely conveys his love and knowledge of the subject. Here can be found all those linguistic pitfalls ('crescendo', 'enormity', 'disinterested') which lie in wait for the ignorant or the careless. And if you've ever wondered whether it's acceptable to start a sentence with 'and', or what you risk revealing about yourself by your pronunciation of 'liqueur', or whether or not it's acceptable to cross your sevens in the French style, Amis has the answer. Arranged alphabetically, by turns reflective, acerbic, combative and controversial, 'The King's English' will find a place on the shelves of anyone who cares about the English language and the way in which it is used.

‘A classic in the making... there may be more comprehensive guides to English usage but there will never be a more entertaining one’
KEITH WATERHOUSE, 'Daily Mail'

‘Full of good sense, enlivened by wit... Nobody who reads it with attention will fail to benefit’
ALLAN MASSIE, 'Daily Telegraph'

‘Fabulously well written... marvellous’
CANDIA McWILLIAM, 'Independent on Sunday'

‘Engaging and choleric... savage and always enjoyable’
PHILIP HOWARD, 'The Times'

‘A delight... consistently, enormously enjoyable’
JONATHON GREEN, 'Punch'

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0141194316
• ISBN 13: 9780141194318
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272