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The Works of Rudyard Kipling
Later editions published as The Collected Poems of Rudyard Kipling. All editions use ISBN: 1853264059.
This edition of the poetry of Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) includes all the poems contained in the Definitive Edition of 1940. In his lifetime, Kipling was widely regarded as the unofficial Poet Laureate, and he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1907. His poetry is striking for its many rhythms and popular forms of speech, and Kipling was equally at home with dramatic monologues and extended ballads. He is often thought of as glorifying war, militarism, and the British Empire, but an attentive reading of the poems does not confirm that view. This edition reprints George Orwell's hard-hitting account of Kipling's poems, first published in 1942, and generally regarded as one of the most important contributions to critical discussion of Kipling.
This edition of the poetry of Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) includes all the poems contained in the Definitive Edition of 1940. In his lifetime, Kipling was widely regarded as the unofficial Poet Laureate, and he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1907. His poetry is striking for its many rhythms and popular forms of speech, and Kipling was equally at home with dramatic monologues and extended ballads. He is often thought of as glorifying war, militarism, and the British Empire, but an attentive reading of the poems does not confirm that view. This edition reprints George Orwell's hard-hitting account of Kipling's poems, first published in 1942, and generally regarded as one of the most important contributions to critical discussion of Kipling.
850 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1900
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About the author
Rudyard Kipling
6,977 books3,623 followersJoseph Rudyard Kipling was a journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist.
Kipling's works of fiction include The Jungle Book (1894), Kim (1901), and many short stories, including The Man Who Would Be King (1888). His poems include Mandalay (1890), Gunga Din (1890), The Gods of the Copybook Headings (1919), The White Man's Burden (1899), and If— (1910). He is regarded as a major innovator in the art of the short story; his children's books are classics of children's literature; and one critic described his work as exhibiting "a versatile and luminous narrative gift".
Kipling was one of the most popular writers in the United Kingdom, in both prose and verse, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Henry James said: "Kipling strikes me personally as the most complete man of genius (as distinct from fine intelligence) that I have ever known." In 1907, at the age of 41, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the first English-language writer to receive the prize, and its youngest recipient to date. He was also sounded out for the British Poet Laureateship and on several occasions for a knighthood, both of which he declined.
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907 "in consideration of the power of observation, originality of imagination, virility of ideas and remarkable talent for narration which characterize the creations of this world-famous author."
Kipling kept writing until the early 1930s, but at a slower pace and with much less success than before. On the night of 12 January 1936, Kipling suffered a haemorrhage in his small intestine. He underwent surgery, but died less than a week later on 18 January 1936 at the age of 70 of a perforated duodenal ulcer. Kipling's death had in fact previously been incorrectly announced in a magazine, to which he wrote, "I've just read that I am dead. Don't forget to delete me from your list of subscribers."
Kipling's works of fiction include The Jungle Book (1894), Kim (1901), and many short stories, including The Man Who Would Be King (1888). His poems include Mandalay (1890), Gunga Din (1890), The Gods of the Copybook Headings (1919), The White Man's Burden (1899), and If— (1910). He is regarded as a major innovator in the art of the short story; his children's books are classics of children's literature; and one critic described his work as exhibiting "a versatile and luminous narrative gift".
Kipling was one of the most popular writers in the United Kingdom, in both prose and verse, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Henry James said: "Kipling strikes me personally as the most complete man of genius (as distinct from fine intelligence) that I have ever known." In 1907, at the age of 41, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the first English-language writer to receive the prize, and its youngest recipient to date. He was also sounded out for the British Poet Laureateship and on several occasions for a knighthood, both of which he declined.
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907 "in consideration of the power of observation, originality of imagination, virility of ideas and remarkable talent for narration which characterize the creations of this world-famous author."
Kipling kept writing until the early 1930s, but at a slower pace and with much less success than before. On the night of 12 January 1936, Kipling suffered a haemorrhage in his small intestine. He underwent surgery, but died less than a week later on 18 January 1936 at the age of 70 of a perforated duodenal ulcer. Kipling's death had in fact previously been incorrectly announced in a magazine, to which he wrote, "I've just read that I am dead. Don't forget to delete me from your list of subscribers."
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 9, 2019
Kipling is interesting but problematic. It seems to me that he really loved telling stories, particularly about the British Raj in India, and that delight in creating stories and characters has its charm. But then I run up against the "white man's burden" aspect of his stories, in which the native Indian population is basically used as background or for "humorous" asides, and the charm is engulfed by the casual, dismissive prejudice.
I wanted to read this collection because it included the story "The Man Who Would Be King". I was interested to see how the story compares with the movie. The movie is much better than the story, helped by wonderful acting by Michael Caine and Sean Connery, but the movie is also spoiled by scenes in which non-white characters are used for comic relief.
I wanted to read this collection because it included the story "The Man Who Would Be King". I was interested to see how the story compares with the movie. The movie is much better than the story, helped by wonderful acting by Michael Caine and Sean Connery, but the movie is also spoiled by scenes in which non-white characters are used for comic relief.
February 20, 2011
I read the Just So Stories, from within this book, aloud to my student. The descriptive language, alliteration, and style make these stories a perfect example of a Pour quoi myth that teaches a lesson. Emulating the style of Kipling, my 6th students write their own pour quio myths in blank books and share them with our adjoining primary school.
July 1, 2014
Mostly regimental in nature, the British Army tales in Imperial India show the "white man's burden." Quite arrogantly phrased but wonderfully written tales of barracks life and the tribulations of occupation in a dusty backwater.
April 18, 2019
Interesting if you know a bit of 19th & 20th century history or are keen to read a first hand account of a British boy who grew up in a privileged house in the “colonies”.
April 26, 2013
what can you say about classics..
November 10, 2015
rated 3 for whole collection. some 5 stories in there. read in mcleod ganj
February 24, 2015
I thought I loved Kipling but this was just too much and went on forever so I quit. But now that I've read other reviews I think I'll search through the book and find his Just So stories
March 28, 2017
This edition does not contain the novels or the children's stories.
It does contain many short works that are rarely collected elsewhere.
I found some poems and short stories I had not read mixed in among the many old favorites.
My main complaint with this edition is that it has several scanning "artifacts" that the proofreader(s) missed. An ampersand in the middle of a word, an "h" that changes to an "n", or a "G" that transforms into a "C" interrupts the flow of reading.
It does contain many short works that are rarely collected elsewhere.
I found some poems and short stories I had not read mixed in among the many old favorites.
My main complaint with this edition is that it has several scanning "artifacts" that the proofreader(s) missed. An ampersand in the middle of a word, an "h" that changes to an "n", or a "G" that transforms into a "C" interrupts the flow of reading.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews