Philip Larkin and English Poetry is a practical criticism of Larkin's poetry which discusses the poet's views on poetry as they are made visible in his prose writings and his interviews and the relationship between his thoughtful critical writings and his own poetry. Larkin's affinities with a series of other English poets (including Dr. Samuel Johnson, D.H. Lawrence and the Imagists and Ted Hughes, Thom Gunn, and R.S. Thomas) which have been overlooked by previous critics are referred to. Terry Whalen provides close readings of the individual poems that will appeal to both the first-time reader of Larkin's works and those who are seasoned readers of one of England's finest poets.

Terry Whalen's profile page

Terry Whalen is an associate professor in the English department at Saint Mary's University.

A fine testament to the poet ... one which Larkin himself -- a man, who, perhaps justifiably, had little patience with critics -- might have approved.

Antigonish Review

Strives to create a richly nuanced portrait of the poet ... does much to increase our understanding.

Atlantic Provinces Book Review