Hilarious and trenchant, Reliable Essays collects the most memorable works of criticism and travel writing from well-loved author and broadcaster, Clive James. With an introduction by Julian Barnes.

'[An] intellectual as well as a joker, a wise man as well as a wit' - Observer

Whether discussing arts, politics or culture, Clive James opens up new avenues for thought whilst never being less than wonderfully entertaining. From his 'Postcard from Rome' to his observations on Margaret Thatcher, and his insights into Heaney, Larkin and Orwell, Clive is equally at home discussing the nature of celebrity and considering serious political matters.

With brilliantly funny examinations of characters like Barry Humphries, Germaine Greer and Marilyn Monroe, this is a thoughtful, analytical and thoroughly enjoyable selection of Clive at his best.

'[I]immensely enjoyable' - Telegraph

Clive James (1939-2019) was a broadcaster, critic, poet, memoirist and novelist. His much-loved, influential and hilarious television criticism is collected in Clive James On Television. His encyclopaedic study of culture and politics in the twentieth century, Cultural Amnesia, remains perhaps the definitive embodiment of his wide-ranging talents as a critic.

Praise for Clive James:

'The perfect critic' - A.O. Scott, New York Times

'There can't be many writers of my generation who haven't been heavily influenced by Clive James' - Charlie Brooker

'A wonderfully witty and intelligent writer' - Verity Lambert

About the Author
Clive James was the author of more than forty books. As well as essays, he published collections of literary and television criticism, travel writing, verse and novels, plus five volumes of autobiography, Unreliable Memoirs, Falling Towards England, May Week Was In June, North Face of Soho and The Blaze of Obscurity. As a television performer he appeared regularly for both the BBC and ITV, most notably as writer and presenter of the Postcard series of travel documentaries. He published several poetry collections, including the Sunday Times bestseller Sentenced to Life, and a translation of Dante's The Divine Comedy, which was also a Sunday Times bestseller. In 1992 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia and in 2003 he was awarded the Philip Hodgins memorial medal for literature. He held honorary doctorates from Sydney University and the University of East Anglia. In 2012 he was appointed CBE and in 2013, an Officer of the Order of Australia. He died in 2019.

Reviews
He has widened the "tonal range" of criticism, permitting it to be both sober and skittish, learned and lewd, rhetorically rambunctious and epigrammatically concise . . . an intellectual as well as a joker, a wise man as well as a wit. -- Peter Conrad * Observer *
His writing is impeccably witty, flexible and urbane . . . immensely enjoyable to read. It's a pleasure to see the metropolitan critic back in action. -- Christopher Taylor * Sunday Telegraph *
He can both get to the heart of a subject and raise a laugh. -- Nicholas Lezard * Sunday Times *



Book Information
ISBN 9781447241041
Author Clive James
Format Paperback
Page Count 368
Imprint Picador
Publisher Pan Macmillan
Weight(grams) 572g
Dimensions(mm) 234mm * 156mm * 21mm