"This collection of writings and drawings by Mervyn Peake has been assembled by his widow, the painter Maeve Gilmore. It includes poems and other pieces written over a period of some thirty-five years." "Poet, novelist, painter and illustrator, Mervyn Peake was attracted by the absurdities in human behaviour, seeing the propinquity between men and women, between humans and animalsor even natural objects. Words were shapes and sounds to him and by blending his strong visual sense with his love of the ridiculous he brought a magical quality to his writing, delightfully evident in this anthology."--BOOK JACKET.