Early Larkin

This book provides a comprehensive and systematic study of Philip Larkin's early literary development, presenting a new and surprising narrative of his development. It emphasizes the significance of Brunette Coleman, the female heteronym Larkin invented in 1943, and suggests that Larkin's breakthrough was a result of his burgeoning interest in everything outside himself.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 232 pages
\n Publication date: 12 August 2021
\n Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
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This is the first book-length critical study of Larkins early work, beginning in the late 1930s. It encompasses his poetry, novels, short fictions, essays, and letters, providing a comprehensive and systematic exploration of his literary development. The book traces Larkins early literary endeavors, from his earliest literary efforts to his remarkable correspondence with Jim Sutton, and culminates in the writing of his first great poems, marking the beginning of his maturity.

In offering a comprehensive and systematic examination of this significant period of Larkins life, the book also presents a fresh and unexpected narrative of his development. Critics have traditionally viewed Larkins early career as a false start, attributing his subsequent success to his rejection of Yeats' influence in favor of Hardy's. However, this book challenges that narrative by emphasizing the significance of Brunette Coleman, the female heteronym Larkin invented in 1943.

Three years before his re-discovery of Hardy, Larkin wrote a series of works for schoolgirls under Coleman's name. These writings not only led him away from Yeats and other hindering influences but also took him away from himself. While the Yeats-to-Hardy narrative emphasizes the autobiographical qualities of Larkins mature verse, Early Larkin proposes that Larkins breakthrough was a result of his growing interest in everything outside himself, a consequence of his curious experiment with Brunette Coleman.

Through its meticulous analysis and innovative perspective, this book offers a new understanding of Larkins early work and its place in the literary landscape. It sheds light on the influences that shaped his writing, the challenges he faced, and the creative processes that led him to his distinctive style. Whether you are a Larkin enthusiast or a student of English literature, this book is a valuable contribution to the field.

\n Weight: 496g\n
Dimension: 164 x 242 x 19 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781350197121\n \n