Author Description

Product Description One of Australia's most distinguished and influential poets, Peter Porter is the author of a dozen volumes of verse, among them his award-winning Collected Poems and The Automated Oracle. The first biography and major critical appraisal of this great poet, this book provides startling insightinto the poet's personal life and literary methods, the importance of his decision to "exile" himself in Britain as a young man, and his increasing influence on generations of Australian writers. Examining all of Porter's work, including his multitude of reviews of films, operas, and literaryworks, Spirit in Exile provides a comprehensive and authoritative study of this prolific poet. Review `This is an ambitious, authoritative, and - above all - compulsively readable study...a strikingly frank biography which will have its effects on all readings of his poetry.' Chris Wallace-Crabbe'ground-breaking, fascinatingly detailed biographical study.' Robert Crawford, Sunday Observer'His book is thorough, interesting and sometimes illuminating.' Times LIterary Supplement`This is an ambitious, authoritative, and - above all - compulsively readable study...a strikingly frank biography which will have its effects on all readings of his poetry.' Chris Wallace-Crabbe 'ground-breaking, fascinatingly detailed biographical study.' Robert Crawford, Sunday Observer 'His book is thorough, interesting and sometimes illuminating.' Times LIterary Supplement About the Author Bruce Bennett, Professor of English, University of Western Australia.