{"product_id":"required-writing-miscellaneous-pieces-19551982-9780374249489","title":"Required writing: Miscellaneous pieces  1955-1982","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe reappearance of Philip Larkins Required Writing will be welcomed by the late poets many readers and admirers. The books first two parts  \"Recollections\" and \"Interviews \" provide autobiographical glimpses of the very private Larkins childhood  his youth at Oxford  the genesis of his forty-year career as a librarian  and the influences that initially steered his poetry. The second half of the book reflects Larkins literary standards and opinions in often witty and surprising  always beautifully wrought  essays and reviews. His subjects range from Emily Dickinson (were her first lines her best?) to the contemporary mystery novel. Required Writing concludes with a selection of pieces on jazz music. \"Larkin is a punctilious  honest critic. He prefers good clear writing to pretentious eyewash; he prefers tunes to discordant wailing; and he prefers home to abroad. Unlike the majority of critics  he is clear-sighted enough to say so.\" --A. N. Wilson  Sunday Telegraph \"I read the collection with growing excitement  agreement and admiration. It is the best contemporary account of the writers true aims I have encountered.\" --John Mortimer  Sunday Times (London) \"Subtle  supple  craftily at ease  Required Writing is on a par with Larkins poetry--which is just about as high as praise can go.\" --Clive James  Observer Philip Larkin was the author of poetry collections  including High Windows  The Whitsun Weddings  and The Less Deceived; a book of essays entitled All What Jazz: A Record Diary; and two novels  Jill  and A Girl in Winter  published early in his career. Required Reading was originally published by Farrar  Straus \u0026amp; Giroux.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45279669190709,"sku":"ByrdShop_0374249482","price":157.68,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780374249489.jpg?v=1780605640","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/required-writing-miscellaneous-pieces-19551982-9780374249489","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}