In 1954 Irving Layton published two volumes of verse that stood out as remarkable in a year that was distinguished by several books of more than usual merit…. One of Mr. Layton's books, The Long Pea-shooter, was mainly satirical; the other In the Midst of my Fever, was entirely serious, though not at all solemn. It contained a number of poems that are not only far above anything he has done before but are as fine as any written by a poet of Mr. Layton's generation in America.

[In 1955 Mr. Layton] also published two volumes; and again one is chiefly satirical (The Blue Propeller) while the other (The Cold Green Element) is lyrical and dramatic. Neither of these books seems to me quite as good as its predecessor, though The Cold Green Element has so much in it that is both original and excellent that it stands out as...