First Boredom, Then Fear: The Life of Philip Larkin

In this thoroughly researched, sometimes slow-moving biography, British scholar Bradford attempts to redress the unfavorable image of one of Britain's most popular 20th-century poets (1922–1985), which resulted from the publication of Larkin's collected and previously unpublished poems, letters and a biography by fellow poet, friend and literary executor Andrew Motion, who portrayed Larkin as a misogynist and bigot. Bradford offers, instead, endearing accounts of Larkin's university days at Oxford, where he forged lasting friendships with future novelist Kingsley Amis and other budding cultural figures, join detailed portraits of complicated, ill-fated and emotionally distant affairs with women, as well as labored portrayals of Larkin's slow development from flailing novelist to master poet, creating a more favorable portrait than Motion's. Bradford also brings new attention to several overlooked poems, though his analyses are overwhelmingly biographical, often positing the poems as little more than clues to Larkin's feelings about romantic relationships. Amis, the subject of Bradford's previous biography (Lucky Jim ), also overshadows Larkin in too many pages spent on the poet's influence on Amis's novels. Still, in this well-written depiction, fans will find much—from gossip to scholarship—to stoke their interest. (Feb.)