The Complete Enderby By Anthony Burgess

The Complete Enderby brings together Anthony Burgess’s four novels about the eccentric and hilariously misanthropic poet, F.X. Enderby. This omnibus includes:

1. Inside Mr. Enderby (1963) – Introduces Enderby, a reclusive and socially awkward poet living off a small inheritance, writing his verses in the bathroom of his shabby flat. When he is unexpectedly thrust into the real world, his life spirals into chaos.

2. Enderby Outside (1968) – Enderby is forced into a more conventional life and finds himself working as a bar manager, far removed from poetry. However, his literary past catches up with him in unexpected and disastrous ways.

3. The Clockwork Testament, or Enderby’s End (1974) – Now living in America, Enderby deals with a career crisis when his screenplay adaptation of The Wreck of the Deutschland turns into a commercialized disaster.

4. Enderby’s Dark Lady, or No End to Enderby (1984) – Enderby returns to England for a final misadventure, caught between artistic inspiration and the absurdities of life.

Why read this book?

• Brilliant satire: A biting critique of the literary world, fame, and the clash between artistic integrity and commercialism.

• Unforgettable protagonist: Enderby is a hilariously flawed yet strangely endearing character whose struggles with art, love, and society are both tragic and comic.

• Linguistic brilliance: Burgess’s prose is witty, inventive, and full of literary references, making this a feast for lovers of language.

About the Author

Anthony Burgess (1917–1993) was an English writer, composer, and linguist, best known for A Clockwork Orange. A prolific author, he wrote across multiple genres, often blending humor with deep philosophical and linguistic insights. The Enderby series showcases his sharp wit and ability to create memorable, complex characters.