In his two previous collections - The Amorous Cannibal (1985) and I'm Deadly Serious (1988) - Chris Wallace-Crabbe displayed his distinctive gifts. His poems are remarkable for bringing together opposites: European erudition blends with a vigorous delight in the newer cultures, both of America, and of his home country, Australia. For Crying Out Loud has a darker side, as the poet struggles to come to terms with the death of a grown-up son.

'His poems are full of sprightly ingenuity, but they serve a sombre vision...he is a resourceful and romantic-spirited poet.' - Peter Porter

'the poetry refers to a level of experience that, despite all doubts, won't be denied the source of a good humour, good feeling and good sense that irradiate these poems irrepressibly' - Martin Dodsworth (on The Amorous Cannibal)