Lost in the Stacks: A Girl In Winter

I wonder if it was just wishful thinking that made me pull this book off the shelf, Philip Larkin's A Girl in Winter.  On a September day with temperatures in the 90s winter sort of sounds appealing. 

"There had been no more snow falling during the night, but because the frost continued so that the drifts lay where they had fallen, people told each other there was more to come.  And when it grew lighter, it seemed that they were right, for there was no sun, only one vast shell of cloud over the fields and woods.  In contrast to the snow the morning would have resembled a January nightfall, for what light there was seemed to rise from it."

Brr.  I feel colder already.  Okay, so maybe not really.  Not being much of a poetry reader, I knew Philip Larkin had written a couple of novels, but didn't realize he is much better known (perhaps quite famous?) for his poetry.  I've also learned Larkin was a professional librarian.  He had a few other interesting proclivities and bad habits, but it feels unfair to dwell on those when I'm unfamiliar with his work and have only just had a quick peek at his personal life.  The book caught my eye on the shelf and that's all that should matter if the story is appealing and the prose as elegant as it appears.  That's enough for me to bring it home and then it's a matter of the story selling itself.

"Philip Larkin's second novel was first published in 1947. This story of Katherine Lind and Robin Fennel, of winter and summer, of war and peace, of exile and holidays, is memorable for its compassionate precision and for the uncommon and unmistakable distinction of its writing."

It's been called "One of the finest and most sustained prose poems in the language"-- not surprising since he dedicated himself to poetry after the publication of this, his last, novel.  It is still in print and is on the Guardian's 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read list.  Judging by the many four and five star reviews in Goodreads it's highly regarded and a book I should probably try to read before it needs to go back to the library. 

Comments

[AJ]

Larkin was a great friend of Barbara Pym, one of my favorite novelists. It was through her I think, but maybe not, that I came to read Larkin's poem Church-going.

Here -- if you have not come across it
http://www.artofeurope.com/larkin/lar5.htm

This portion of it has pretty much never left me -- and I am not a church-goer.

"A serious house on serious earth it is,
In whose blent air all our compulsions meet,
Are recognized, and robed as destinies.
And that much never can be obsolete,
Since someone will forever be surprising
A hunger in himself to be more serious ...

I guess I didn't realize he had written novels.

Hope you have a nice holiday week-end :-)

[Danielle]

AJ--I read that Larkin had a relationship with Maeve Brennan but didn't realize he also knew Barbara Pym. Thanks for sharing the poem--I like the excerpt and will go read the rest! I'm afraid I read very little poetry and have never read any of his work, though now I will look for it. Have a great weekend, too!

[Caroline]

Tis is on my TBR pile and I was waiting for autumn to come and read it. I have high hopes. It should be very good from a language perspective as well.

[litlove]

I have to admit I didn't know that Larkin had written novels!I thought he just wrote poetry. Well, goodness me, I shall have to look out for this. Thank you for educating me! :-)

[catharina]

I like Larkin the poet, didn't know he wrote prose either, there even is a Dutch translation, I found out this morning. Nothing keeping me to add it to my list!

[Kathleen]

I love these lost in the stack posts. There are so many books that are waiting to be rediscovered!

[Dorothy W.]

I've only known Larkin through his poetry -- how interesting that he wrote novels! I'd love to read a novel of his, I think. He seems like such an interesting figure. I don't know much of his poetry, but what I've read I like.

[Denise]

I never knew he wrote novels, either. I love his books of poems. "Home" is my favorite poem. It starts, "Home is so sad..." I don't know why, but that poem has always been such a comfort to me. I'm glad someone said it.

[Rebecca]

I don't think I've ever heard of Larkin, novelist or poet, but that cover alone makes me want to track down the book.

[Danielle]

Caroline--Poets usually write with very elegant prose--I'm curious to read him as well, but I may have to just add him to my list at the moment since I have a full reading pile. It's just nice to know his books are so close at hand!
Litlove--I really must read poetry now and again. I am the reverse--I knew he had written novels, but didn't realize he was such an important poet! That tells you where my priorities lie!
Catharina--Lists are good! I'm going to have to add this one to my list as well as I need to finish some other books first before starting more. I have a few obligation reads out of the way so am back to enjoying more leisurely reading again!
Kathleen--I find the most interesting books on my library's shelves and it is so fun to browse there!
Dorothy--I should really read some of his poetry. Poetry is still an area I am very ignorant in. Maybe I should bring home a book of poems for one of my lost int the stacks posts, but I wouldn't be sure where to start.
Denise--I always think how hard it must be to be a writer (at least writing seems really difficult to me), but I am always thankful there are so many talented people who do write--so I totally understand your appreciation that 'somebody said it'!
Rebecca--Isn't it a lovely cover? The story very much appeals to me, so I have added it to my list as well!

[Stefanie]

I've read a few random Larkin poems. I didn't know he had written any novels. Very interesting.

[Danielle]

Stefanie--I am such a non-poetry reader. I think I must be the only person not to realize he was such a famous poet. Oops. I did run across his novels somewhere, however!

[Dorothy W.]

I'm not sure where to start with Larkin's poetry, either. I would probably pick up an anthology of poetry in which he is included (Modern British Poetry, for example) and read the selections there. At least in that case, you are getting the poems someone thought were his best.

[Danielle]

Dorothy--What a good idea--I always think of buying a collection of poems by one person, but it makes sense to buy an anthology--and read the best of the best. I'll have to see if my library has Modern British Poetry--a good place to start I think.