by James Booth
Archie Burnett generously allowed me pre-publication access to the ‘Commentary’ in his edition of The Complete Poems (2012). I am also grateful to the many friends and colleagues who have read all or part of my draft and made suggestions for improvement. Anthony Thwaite, Ann Thwaite and Don Lee have read the entire text, while Graham Chesters, Christopher Reid, Angela Leighton, Trevor Tolley, Richard Palmer, Geoff Weston, Terry Kelly, Janet Brennan, Tom McAlindon, Jim Orwin, Trevor Jarvis, Elena Miraglia, Birte Wiemann, Carol Rumens, Suzanne Uniacke, Martin Goodman, Sheila Jones, Bruce Woodcock and Philip Weaver have made suggestions in relation to particular chapters. Remaining mistakes of fact or wrong interpretations are my own.
My thanks are due also to Judy Burg (Hull University Archivist) and the staff of the Brynmor Jones Library, Hull, and the History Centre, Hull, which now houses the University’s Larkin archive, and also most of the Larkin Society collection.
I must also thank my wife, Jennifer, and daughters, Anne and Eleanor, for their understanding and forbearance during the writing of this book.
The author and publishers acknowledge the following permissions to reprint copyright material:
The Society of Authors as the Literary Representative of the Estate of Philip Larkin: Previously unpublished Philip Larkin material, copyright © 2014 the Estate of Philip Larkin; photographs taken by Larkin and facsimiles of Larkin’s writing, copyright © 2014 the Estate of Philip Larkin. Other copyright holders of photographs are acknowledged alongside the relevant illustrations.
Rosemary Parry: Excerpts from Sydney Larkin’s diaries and photographs taken by Sydney Larkin, copyright © 2014.
Faber and Faber Limited: Extracts from Complete Poems by Philip Larkin, copyright © 2012 the Estate of Philip Larkin; extracts from Selected Letters of Philip Larkin, 1940–1985, copyright © 1992 the Estate of Philip Larkin, Introduction copyright © 1992 by Anthony Thwaite; extracts from Required Writing by Philip Larkin, copyright © 1983 the Estate of Philip Larkin; extracts from All What Jazz by Philip Larkin, copyright © 1970, 1985 Philip Larkin; extracts from Jill, copyright © 1946 Philip Larkin; extracts from A Girl in Winter, copyright © 1947 Philip Larkin; extracts from Further Requirements by Philip Larkin, copyright © 2001, 2002 the Estate of Philip Larkin, Introduction and editorial matter copyright © Anthony Thwaite 2001; extracts from Trouble at Willow Gables and Other Fictions by Philip Larkin, copyright © 2002 the Estate of Philip Larkin, Introduction and editorial matter copyright © James Booth 2002; extracts from Letters to Monica by Philip Larkin, copyright © 2010 the Estate of Philip Larkin, Introduction and editorial matter copyright © Anthony Thwaite.
Oxford University Press: Extracts from Larkin’s introduction to The Oxford Book of Twentieth Century English Verse: Chosen by Philip Larkin, copyright © 1973.
Faber and Faber Limited: Extracts from The English Auden, ed. Edward Mendelson, copyright © 1986 the Estate of W. H. Auden; extracts from Ted Hughes Collected Poems, ed. Paul Keegan, copyright © 2003 the Estate of Ted Hughes; extracts from Letters of Ted Hughes, Introduction and selection by Christopher Reid, letters copyright © 2007 the Estate of Ted Hughes.
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Inc.: Extracts from Complete Poems by Philip Larkin, copyright © 2012 the Estate of Philip Larkin; extracts from Selected Letters of Philip Larkin, 1940–1985, copyright © 1992 the Estate of Philip Larkin, Introduction copyright © 1992 by Anthony Thwaite; extracts from Required Writing by Philip Larkin, copyright © 1983 the Estate of Philip Larkin; extracts from All What Jazz by Philip Larkin, copyright © 1970, 1985 Philip Larkin.
The Overlook Press, Peter Mayer Publishers, Inc. Woodstock, NY: Extracts from Jill, copyright © 1946, 1976 by Philip Larkin, published in 1985 by the Overlook Press; extracts from A Girl in Winter by Philip Larkin, copyright © 1976 by Philip Larkin, published in 1985 by The Overlook Press.
HarperCollins Publishers: Extracts from The Letters of Kingsley Amis, ed. Zachary Leader, copyright © 2000 the Estate of Kingsley Amis.
Every effort has been made to trace all copyright holders, but if any have been overlooked, the publishers will be pleased to make the necessary arrangements at the earliest opportunity.
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Copyright © 2014 by James Booth
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eISBN: 978-1-62040-783-7
First published in the United States in 2014
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