This Room in the Sunlight

This will be the first major collection of poems by Bernard Kops for more than 20 years. He is one of Britain's most celebrated writers, with seven previous volumes of poetry, 40 plays for stage and radio, nine novels, and two autobiographies, making him one of Britain's most prolific and versatile authors. Earlier this year, in recognition of his literary work, he had the rare honour of a Civil List pension being conferred on him by the Queen. Awarded for life, it puts him in the exalted company of poets such as Lord Byron and William Wordsworth. This collection contains many new poems and also his most celebrated poems from his exceptional and varied body of work, such as "Shalom Bomb", an unofficial anthem for the CND movement in the 1960's and his more recent "Whitechapel Library, Aldgate East" which, mourns the passing of the old library in the East End of London, where he grew up. Events include: December 29 Limmud Festival, Warwick University; Feb 17 Housman's Bookshop, London; Feb 28 Jewish Book Week reading with George Szirtes and Michele Wandor, 11 am March Josephs Bookstore; April 1 Whitechapel Art Gallery (free admission) 20-50 expected; and, Aug 12 Lauderdale House (Thursday).