Les Murray: A Life in Progress

Les Murray is a character. This biography, marvelously well-written by Peter F. Alexander, is an act of love, from the Australian people to the great poet who, it seems, has suffered at the hands of ignorant fools and partisan enemies for much of his life. Murray is an odd ball, a classic poet warrior for truth-telling and the power of language. One thinks, perhaps, of Ezra Pound, Larkin, Dylan Thomas, because besides being... Read Full Review

Peter Alexander has written a biography that does come close to doing justice to perhaps the greatest living poet in English. It is not only a well crafted account of the details of Murray's hard early life; it is, more tellingly, a compelling yarn about the pain, struggle and triumph of a troubled, stubborn and divine genius. It can also serve as a useful primer. And not just to some of Murray's more diffcult poems,... Read Full Review

Les Murray is the leading poet in the English-speaking world today. This account of his often strange life and work is scholarly, well researched and lifts the lid on some of the dirty tricks of Murray's rivals and enemies in the Australian literary scene (there were unsuccessful attempts to ban it). Sheds light on many aspects of poetry, culture in general, and the human condition.