John Whitworth
The most interesting book I have read this year is Philip Larkin: A Writer's Life by An drew Motion (Faber, £20). How surpris- ing Larkin's life turned out to be. Some- times I feel Andrew Motion may be too nice a chap to be thoroughly en rapport With the great (and not altogether nice) man, but his biography is a worthy addition to our Larkin libraries. That picture of the already four-eyed poet in school uniform! Those who care for poetry should besiege the publisher for Sophie Hannah's first book, Early Bird Blues (Smith/Doorstop, £2.95). 'You're dealing with the all-time king or queen/ Of under- cover loves.! The author of this valentine wore gloves.'
I know one shouldn't speak ill of the dead, and I haven't opened it, but The Selected Poetry of Hugh MacDiarmid (Car- oanet, £18.95) must be one of the most overrated books of the year, mustn't it? From first principles, as it were.
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