The Disguise

This collection revives the poetry of Charles Boyle, presenting his notable works and exploring themes of identity and absence throughout his career. The Disguise offers a reflective journey.

In The Disguise, acclaimed poet Christopher Reid brings together the poetry of Charles Boyle from his six collections published between 1977 and 2001. This compilation serves as a recovery mission for Boyle, who has transitioned from a notable poet to a publisher and writer of fiction and non-fiction. Reid's effort sheds light on Boyle's sharp, wry observations of social mores, which have been overlooked in recent years. The collection highlights the essence of Boyle's work and reintroduces readers to a voice that deserves recognition.

Boyle's poetry reflects a quintessentially white male Englishness, capturing the essence of the late twentieth century. His works, including Paleface and The Age of Cardboard and String, received accolades, such as shortlisting for the Forward Prize and the T.S. Eliot Prize, respectively. However, since 2001, Boyle has not published any new poetry, leaving a gap in his literary contributions. The poems in The Disguise remain vital and engaging, yet they also carry an archaic quality, reminiscent of a bygone era.

The themes explored in The Disguise include the excitement of travel, particularly to North Africa, as well as notions of ghosts, absences, and the complexities of exile. Through this collection, readers can glean insights into Boyle's poetic journey, offering clues to his disappearance from the poetry scene after three decades of significant contributions.