Required Writing · Miscellaneous Pieces 1955-1982

The appearance of Philip Larkin's second prose collection - reviews and critical assessments of writers and writing; pieces on jazz, mostly uncollected; some long, revealing and often highly entertaining interviews given on various occasions - was a considerable literary event. Stamped by wit, originality and intelligence, it was vintage Larkin throughout:

'Deprivation is for me what daffodils were for Wordsworth.'

'I see life more as an affair of solitude diversified by company than as an affair of company diversified by solitude.'

*Q.* 'How did you arrive upon the image of a toad for work or labour?'

*A.* 'Sheer genius.'