Les Murray is amongst the most gifted poets writing today, his
multi-faceted talents have received high praise both in his native
Australia and beyond. But he has also proved a controversial figure,
whose poetry strays across the boundaries of political and cultural
debate. The only full critical study of Murray's work available, Steven
Matthews provides a complete picture of his career to date, from its
early parables of national emergence to the working man's epic encounter
with the major events of the twentieth century, Fredy Neptune. Provides
detailed readings of key poems, as well as literary and cultural
contexts for the rapid shifts in style and subject matter Murray has
made from collection to collection. Gives an overview of Murray's place
within Australian literature and national thought.