Brodsky’s second major collection of essays is an unruly, brilliant gathering of literary criticism. 

Published after Brodsky’s Nobel Prize, it includes his Nobel lecture alongside essays on Hardy, Rilke and Frost, reflections on exile and history, an appraisal of Kim Philby, and the extraordinary “Speech at the Stadium,” which moves from public life and success toward a defence of modesty, attention and the difficult business of remaining singular. 

Brodsky's literary criticism is much like his poetry, insofar a poem is used to portray a machine for thinking about time, mortality, memory, politics, love. The title essay, on Frost, is characteristic of the whole book, with it's patient detail, suspicion and this ears pricked quality to violence within language. s

Hamish Hamilton, London, 1995. First UK edition, first printing. Hardcover with dust jacket. Jacket shows light edge wear, rubbing and minor creasing, particularly at the upper edge; boards and interior clean, binding firm. Very good condition.