Fifteen essays on the style, language and vision of one of Britain's most influential and controversial playwrights. Focusing on different aspects of what Barker has called the Theatre of Catastrophe, an international range of academics offer illuminating interpretations of his work. Includes analyses of the political, moral and historical aspects of his writing, its poetry and eroticism, its depiction of the figure of the artist, and Barker's writing in performance.

Includes contributions from Elisabeth Angel-Perez, Mary Karen Dahl, Helen Iball, Christine Kiehl, Charles Lamb, Chris Megson, Roger Owen, Dan Rebellato, James Reynolds, Elizabeth Sakellaridou, Andy Smith, Liz Tomlin, Heiner Zimmerman.

A philology graduate of Moscow University, Alexander Boot lectured there on English and American literature in English, wrote art criticism and got into trouble with the KGB before emigrating to the USA in 1973 - only to find that the West he was seeking was no longer there. This inspired a life-long quest for an explanation, reflected in numerous essays. He has written for a wide range of publications including the London Magazine, the Salisbury Review and the Independent. He now divides his time between London and Burgundy, working on his next two books.