Further Requirements gathers interviews, broadcasts, statements, and reviews that collectively offer a surprising portrait of Philip mordant, modest, intolerant, and generous-but always himself. " . . . reveals a deadpan humour and intuitive intelligence tempered by genuine modesty . . . cannot fail to appeal to those with a passion for poetry." —Joanna Hunter, The Observer " . . . good writing, unfussy and unadorned-seeming; but with the impression that [Larkin] has worked hard at every sentence. Even his responses in interviews suggest a mind taking its time to get the words just right." —Nicholas Lezard, The Guardian "It is a treat to encounter once more those splendidly grouchy tones... Larkin's insights into himself are spot-on." — The Independent " . . . impeccably edited . . . hugely readable . . . provides solid confirmation of Larkin's stature. Austere? No, thank goodness, though he had his austerities. But a classic? Undoubtedly." — The Daily Telegraph Philip Larkin (1922-85) was a prolific and honored British poet, editor, fiction writer, and reviewer. His books of poetry include High Windows, The Whitsun Weddings, The Less Deceived, and The North Ship . In addition to Further Requirements, his prose works include the essay collections Required Writing (Michigan, 1999) and All What A Record Diary, and two novels, Jill and A Girl in Winter . Anthony Thwaite is an acclaimed writer and poet, whose most recent books include Selected Poems 1956-1996 and A Different New Poems .
Author
Philip Arthur Larkin, CH, CBE, FRSL, was an English poet, novelist and jazz critic. He spent his working life as a university librarian and was offered the Poet Laureateship following the death of John Betjeman, but declined the post. Larkin is commonly regarded as one of the greatest English poets of the latter half of the twentieth century. He first came to prominence with the release of his third collection The Less Deceived in 1955. The Whitsun Weddings and High Windows followed in 1964 and 1974. In 2003 Larkin was chosen as "the nation's best-loved poet" in a survey by the Poetry Book Society, and in 2008 The Times named Larkin as the greatest post-war writer. Larkin was born in city of Coventry, England, the only son and younger child of Sydney Larkin (1884–1948), city treasurer of Coventry, who came from Lichfield, and his wife, Eva Emily Day (1886–1977), of Epping. From 1930 to 1940 he was educated at King Henry VIII School in Coventry, and in October 1940, in the midst of the Second World War, went up to St John's College, Oxford, to read English language and literature. Having been rejected for military service because of his poor eyesight, Larkin was able, unlike many of his contemporaries, to follow the traditional full-length degree course, taking a first-class degree in 1943. Whilst at Oxford he met Kingsley Amis, who would become a lifelong friend and frequent correspondent. Shortly after graduating he was appointed municipal librarian at Wellington, Shropshire. In 1946, he became assistant librarian at University College, Leicester and in 1955 sub-librarian at Queen's University, Belfast. In March 1955, Larkin was appointed librarian at The University of Hull, a position he retained until his death.
