Out of Reach : The Poetry of Philip Larkin

This detailed study of Larkin's poetry, the first to take account of recent biographical and archival material, offers new insights into Larkin's development as a poet and a fresh assessment of his achievement. Focusing on Larkin's separately published volumes within the framework of the Collected Poems, this analysis of Larkin's practice and controversial status presents a poet more fundamentally challenging than often supposed. This book will appeal to the specialist, student and general reader alike. Since His Death In 1985, Philip Larkin, Generally Regarded As England's Finest Post-war Poet, Has Become The Subject Of Fierce Debate. The Publication Of His Collected Poems, His Letters And His Official Biography Has Led To A Radical Reassessment Of One Of Our Most Popular And Elusive Writers. This New Study Of Larkin's Poetry Is The First To Draw On Previously Unpublished Manuscript Material, As Well As On The Biographical Revelations. But, As The Author Shows, The Relationship Between Larkin's Life And Work Is Especially Problematic. Rather Than Interpreting The Poems By Way Of The Life, Andrew Swarbrick Examines In Detail The Rhetorical Strategies Which Make Larkin's Poems So Universally Appealing And Yet So Ultimately Mysterious. In Doing So, He Reveals A Larkin Altogether More Adventurous, Challenging And Disturbing Than His Critics, And Some Of His Admirers, Have Hitherto Encountered.--jacket. Philip Larkin -- The Early Poems -- The Less Deceived -- Larkin In The Movement -- The Whitsun Weddings -- High Windows -- Larkin's Identities. Andrew Swarbrick. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Focusing on Philip Larkin's individually published volumes, this book traces clearly the development of his poetic achievement. Arguing engagingly and setting close analysis of individual poems within a theoretical context, Andrew Swarbrick offers a fresh and timely reappraisal of one of this century's major writers. Front Matter....Pages i-xii Philip Larkin....Pages 1-16 The Early Poems....Pages 17-42 The Less Deceived....Pages 43-68 Larkin in the Movement....Pages 69-91 The Whitsun Weddings....Pages 92-121 High Windows....Pages 122-153 Larkin’s Identities....Pages 154-174 Back Matter....Pages 175-202 Taking into account recent biographical and archival material, this text offers an insight into Larkin's development as a poet and an assessment of his achievement. This analysis of his practice and controversial status presents a poet more fundamentally challenging than often supposed. Andrew Swarbrick. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 188-197) And Index.