Books: The Creative Man's Critic

URGENT COPY by Anthony Burgess. 272 pages. W. W. Norton. $6.95.

What distinguishes the novels of Anthony Burgess is the Elizabethan prodigality of creation. Plots, passions and persons hatch in his brooding skull, and it is a matter of wonder only that he has brought so many gaudy fictional chickens home to roost. It seems almost too much that Burgess should also be so good a critic, because the cliché of legend demands that a critic, however good, is by nature a failed creator.

The collection of quickie critical pieces done for British and U.S....

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