Philip Larkin
Philip Larkin
Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 2020
Book Brief
574
Biography • Nonfiction
England • 20th Century
2020
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Philip Larkin: A Writer’s Life by Andrew Motion is a comprehensive 1994 biography examining the life and work of one of the twentieth century's most significant British poets, Philip Larkin. The book traces Larkin's journey from his early years in Coventry, through his academic experiences at Oxford, to his career as a librarian, revealing a complex man whose private writings show tendencies toward racism and misogyny, and who had complicated relationships with several women.
Contemplative
Melancholic
Informative
Bittersweet
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
304 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Andrew Motion's biography, Philip Larkin, presents a comprehensive and detailed exploration of the poet's life and work. While some readers appreciate the meticulous research and nuanced portrayal, others find it overly fixated on Larkin's personal flaws. The writing is engaging but the tone can occasionally lean towards the critical rather than the celebratory.
Who Should Read Philip Larkin?
Fans of literary biographies, especially those who admire nuanced portraits of influential poets, will relish Philip Larkin by Andrew Motion. Comparable to Richard Ellmann’s Oscar Wilde and James R. Mellow’s Nathaniel Hawthorne in His Times, this book artfully dissects both Larkin's work and his complex personal life.
304 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
574
Biography • Nonfiction
England • 20th Century
2020
Adult
18+ years
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