Monica Jones, Philip Larkin and Me: Her Life and Long Loves

Monica Jones was Philip Larkin's partner for over four decades, and was cruelly immortalized as Margaret Peel in Kingsley Amis's Lucky Jim. This biography by John Sutherland explores the question: who was the real Monica? The calm and collected friend and teacher? The witty conversationalist and inspirational lecturer? Or the private Monica, writing desperate, sometimes furious, occasionally libellous, drunken letters to the only man, to the absent man, whom she could love?

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 14 April 2022
Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

A brilliant biography, John Sutherland has brought Monica Jones to life as she deserves.

Claire Tomalin praised the book, stating that it offers an "eye-opening" account of Monica Jones.

In this biography, Monica Jones comes alive, revealing her as the significant woman in Philip Larkin's life.

Despite being cruelly immortalized as Margaret Peel in Kingsley Amis's novel "Lucky Jim" and widely vilified for destroying Larkin's diaries and works in progress after his death, Monica Jones was much more than that.

She was an accomplished academic and an inspiring teacher in her own right, writing over 2,000 letters to Larkin, who in turn poured out his heart to her.

In his revealing biography, John Sutherland delves into the question: who was the real Monica? Was she the calm and collected friend and teacher, the witty conversationalist, or the private Monica, writing desperate, sometimes furious, occasionally libellous, drunken letters to the only man she could love, the absent man?

Through his careful reading of Monica's never-before-seen letters and his own recollections, Sutherland offers a new perspective on Larkin's story, allowing Monica to step out from behind the poet's shadow.

The book explores the complexities of Monica's life, examining her sacrifices and the worth of her relationship with Larkin.

It sheds light on her private struggles and the complexities of their relationship, providing a deeper understanding of this remarkable woman and her impact on Larkin's life and legacy.

Weight: 254g
Dimension: 197 x 129 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474620208