The Odd Couple

The Curious Friendship between Kingsley Amis and Philip Larkin

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, Poetry History & Criticism, Biography & Memoir, Literary
Cover of the book The Odd Couple by Richard Bradford, Biteback Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Richard Bradford ISBN: 9781849544719
Publisher: Biteback Publishing Publication: October 30, 2012
Imprint: The Robson Press Language: English
Author: Richard Bradford
ISBN: 9781849544719
Publisher: Biteback Publishing
Publication: October 30, 2012
Imprint: The Robson Press
Language: English

Kingsley Amis was a mimic, jester, father, husband, atheist, pseudo-socialist and clubland Tory boozer with a limitless taste for adultery; Philip Larkin a glum misanthrope who lived in self-imposed solitude. And yet, after meeting at St John's, Oxford in 1941, this unlikely pair struck up a friendship to endure for more than forty years, despite a period of acrimony in the 1960s. From their early days of undergraduate ambitions and enthusiasms through to the bitterness of middle age, Richard Bradford charts the progress of a remarkable friendship, and shows how crucial it was to the making of these two literary giants. Without Larkin's inspiration and input, Amis would never have written his award-winning debut, Lucky Jim; if not for Amis's overnight success, Larkin would never have abandoned his hopes of becoming a novelist and turned instead to verse. Larkin's ensuing resentment would simmer beneath the surface of their relationship for years to come. Drawing on an enormous archive of letters, manuscripts and interviews, The Odd Couple not only offers a rare glimpse into the private correspondence of two controversial and eccentric men, it also illuminates some of the finest novels and poems of the twentieth century.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Kingsley Amis was a mimic, jester, father, husband, atheist, pseudo-socialist and clubland Tory boozer with a limitless taste for adultery; Philip Larkin a glum misanthrope who lived in self-imposed solitude. And yet, after meeting at St John's, Oxford in 1941, this unlikely pair struck up a friendship to endure for more than forty years, despite a period of acrimony in the 1960s. From their early days of undergraduate ambitions and enthusiasms through to the bitterness of middle age, Richard Bradford charts the progress of a remarkable friendship, and shows how crucial it was to the making of these two literary giants. Without Larkin's inspiration and input, Amis would never have written his award-winning debut, Lucky Jim; if not for Amis's overnight success, Larkin would never have abandoned his hopes of becoming a novelist and turned instead to verse. Larkin's ensuing resentment would simmer beneath the surface of their relationship for years to come. Drawing on an enormous archive of letters, manuscripts and interviews, The Odd Couple not only offers a rare glimpse into the private correspondence of two controversial and eccentric men, it also illuminates some of the finest novels and poems of the twentieth century.

More books from Biteback Publishing

Cover of the book Show Me a Hero by Richard Bradford
Cover of the book The King Who Had To Go by Richard Bradford
Cover of the book Power Trip by Richard Bradford
Cover of the book Confessions of a Rabbi by Richard Bradford
Cover of the book Something Has Gone Wrong by Richard Bradford
Cover of the book Seat by Seat by Richard Bradford
Cover of the book War Games by Richard Bradford
Cover of the book When Reporters Cross the Line by Richard Bradford
Cover of the book My Week* by Richard Bradford
Cover of the book Capitalism by Richard Bradford
Cover of the book British Conservative Leaders by Richard Bradford
Cover of the book Why Vote Conservative 2015 by Richard Bradford
Cover of the book The Prime Ministers Who Never Were by Richard Bradford
Cover of the book Dmitry Rybolovlev by Richard Bradford
Cover of the book The Boxer's Story by Richard Bradford
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy