Philip Larkin

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-ix

   PDF

2. The Poet’s Plight

   • James Booth

   Pages 1-20

3. Poetry as a Living

   • James Booth

   Pages 21-46

4. Loves and Muses I

   • James Booth

   Pages 47-78

5. Loves and Muses II

   • James Booth

   Pages 79-111

6. Poetic Histories

   • James Booth

   Pages 112-143

7. Living Rooms

   • James Booth

   Pages 144-171

8. Empty Gestures

   • James Booth

   Pages 172-201

9. Back Matter

   Pages 202-230

   PDF

James Booth reads Philip Larkin's mature poetry in terms of his ambiguous self-image as lonely, anti-social outsider, plighted to his art, and as nine-to-five librarian, sharing the common plight of humanity. Booth's focus is on Larkin's artistry with words, the 'verbal devices' through which this purest of lyric poets celebrates 'the experience. The beauty.' Featuring discussion for the first time of two recently discovered poems by Larkin, this original and exciting new study will be of interest to all students, scholars and enthusiasts of Larkin.

• lyric
• poem
• poetry
• British and Irish Literature

'Fresh and engaging; sure to be welcomed by both confirmed admirers of Larkin's work and new readers alike.' - Douglas Dunn, University of St. Andrews

An authoritative and elegant elucidation of the poet's craft; Booth reads the poetry, as Larkin wrote it, for pleasure.' - Janice Rossen, Harry Ransom Humanities Research Centre, University of Texas

JAMES BOOTH is Professor of English at the University of Hull, UK. His publications include Philip Larkin: Writer and New Larkins for Old: Critical Essays. He edited Larkin's Trouble at Willow Gables and Other Fictions and helped Maeve Brennan with her memoir The Philip Larkin I knew. He is also Editor of The Larkin Society Journal.

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