5-3/8 x 8. 328 pgs. (1999) Paper 978-0-472-08584-2 $22.95T  Available Add to Cart Search this Book's Content About the Book Praise Series Poets on Poetry Subjects Literary Studies--British and Irish Literatures / Literary Studies--Poetry and Poetry Criticism

Required Writing
Miscellaneous Pieces 1955-1982

Philip Larkin



Recollections, interviews, essays, and reviews by the revered English poet

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About the Book

The reappearance of Philip Larkin's Required Writing will be welcomed by the late poet's many readers and admirers. The book's first two parts, "Recollections" and "Interviews," provide autobiographical glimpses of the very private Larkin's childhood, his youth at Oxford, the genesis of his forty-year career as a librarian, and the influences that initially steered his poetry.

The second half of the book reflects Larkin's literary standards and opinions in often witty and surprising, always beautifully wrought, essays and reviews. His subjects range from Emily Dickinson (were her first lines her best?) to the contemporary mystery novel. Required Writing concludes with a selection of pieces on jazz music.

Philip Larkin was the author of poetry collections, including High Windows, The Whitsun Weddings, and The Less Deceived; a book of essays entitled All What Jazz: A Record Diary; and two novels, Jill, and A Girl in Winter, published early in his career. Required Reading was originally published by Farrar, Straus & Giroux.