Larkin's final collection of poems shows; as does all his best work; his ability to adapt contemporary speech rhythms and everyday vocabulary to subtle metrical patterns and poetic forms. Many of the poems in the collection; which includes some of his best-known pieces ('The Old Fools'; 'This Be the Verse'; 'The Explosion'; and the title poem) show the preoccupation with death and transience that is so typical of the poet. This beautifully designed edition forms part of a series of ten titles celebrating Faber's publishing over the decades.