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.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 23 February 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This is the first book-length critical study of Larkins early work, spanning the late 1930s to the beginning of his maturity. It delves into his poetry, novels, short fictions, essays, and letters, providing a comprehensive and systematic exploration of his literary development. The book begins with Larkins earliest literary efforts and his remarkable correspondence with Jim Sutton, tracing his journey from an aspiring writer to the emergence of his first great poems.

In presenting a new and surprising narrative of Larkins development, the book challenges the prevailing view that his early career was a false start. Critics have often attributed his breakthrough to his substitution of Yeats' influence for Hardys. However, this book presents a counter-narrative that emphasizes 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 marked a departure from Yeats and other hindering influences but also led him away from himself. The book suggests 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 comprehensive analysis and innovative narrative, "Early Larkin" offers a fresh perspective on Larkins early work and sheds light on the factors that shaped his literary evolution. It provides valuable insights into the creative process and the influences that shaped Larkins writing, making it a must-read for scholars and enthusiasts of his work.

Weight: 354g
Dimension: 232 x 156 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350197213