New book aims to show poetry great Philip Larkin did not hate Coventry

[dutchman]

A NEW book on famous Coventry-born poet Philip Larkin aims to debunk the misconception he hated the city



Earlsdon-based journalist and author Chris Arnot’s latest book argues Larkin has a hidden affection for Coventry, the city where the literary great’s love of libraries and poetry began.

Mr Arnot says this is despite Larkin speaking in less than fond terms about the city where he went to school and spent his first 18 years.

He famously wrote his childhood had been ‘unspent’ in the city in his poem ‘I Remember, I Remember’.

Mr Arnot says he aims to reveal some of Larkin’s fonder memories of Coventry.

He says the book named ‘Larkin About in Coventry: The City where a Great Poet Grew Up’ will contrast pre-World War Two Coventry with its new identity as a modern student city.

He said: “It is not another biography of Larkin, it’s looking at Coventry anew, in light of its City of Culture 2021 status – through the prism of Larkin.

“He liked the area around the cathedral obviously before it was bombed – when it was a medieval city.

“He wasn’t so keen on the rebuilding of Coventry because he had very fond memories.

“After the war his former house on Manor Road went under the ring road.”

Mr Arnot said the book attempts to go behind Larkin’s curmudgeonly facade and explore the places in his youth where he was most content.

“Larkin About in Coventry, the city where a great poet grew up”, ISBN 978-1-908837-10-3 is published by Takahe, price £10.95.