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The Whitsun Weddings
 
 
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The Whitsun Weddings [Hardcover]

Philip Larkin
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
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Frequently Bought Together

The Whitsun Weddings + Welsh Retrospective + The "Whitsun Weddings" and Selected Poems of Philip Larkin (York Notes Advanced)
Price For All Three: £18.03

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 64 pages
  • Publisher: Faber and Faber (6 May 2010)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0571259286
  • ISBN-13: 978-0571259281
  • Product Dimensions: 20 x 12.6 x 1.2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 43,134 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Philip Larkin
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Product Description

Book Description

One of six wonderful collections published in celebration of Faber's rich poetry heritage.

Product Description

Philip Larkin (1922-1985) remains England's best-loved poet - a writer matchlessly capable of evoking his native land and of touching all readers from the most sophisticated intellectual to the proverbial common reader. The late John Betjeman observed that 'this tenderly observant poet writes clearly, rhythmically, and thoughtfully about what all of us can understand'. Behind this modest description lies a poet who made greatness look, in Milton's prescription, 'simple, sensuous and passionate'.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
The Whitsun Weddings 21 Nov 2007
By Dani.
Format:Paperback
Looking at the previous reviews I find it quite adverse that someone would condemn a book of poetry because it isn't 'perky' enough. I thought poetry was about so much more than just lifting the spirits.

I myself am 17, studying The Whitsun Weddings for my AS level. Incontestably, it is of a depressive nature, but I do not view this as a possible criticism of the book. This is the very thing that makes it a worthwhile read. Larkin's pessimistic/realist views on matters such as monogamy and marriage, consumerism and generally pre-idealised life are yes, very blunt and negative, but something we have all atleast pondered on. I think his work is very enjoyable. With his arrogance constantly juxaposed with his feelings of inadequacy, I felt like I could despise him, and at the same time, completely empathise with him. Intricate work!

I recommend it!
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Ms. S. J. Smith VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
Larkin’s poetry is very commonly perceived as being highly negative and melancholic, with themes such as death and disappointment featuring frequently throughout. However when reading the Whitsun weddings you can’t help but feel that Larkin is simply creating a voice for our own personal worries and concerns.

Due to his sharp, perceptive observations on life and its many obstacles, we see that Larkin is not a miserable character, and the only reason he is perceived as being this way is because his poems within the Whitsun weddings are of death, disappointment and failing love and are stereotypically things we don’t want to hear but sadly are very true to life’s journey.

The collection works well as it creates a variety of mood and tone, never having two poems of the same theme next to each other. Larkin adopts the persona of the everyday man when narrating the poems and we see characters such as ‘Arnold’ in ‘Self’s the Man’ that are thoroughly unfulfilled in their lives. When reading the poems you can see how thought provoking they really are, as they sometimes read as warnings, such as ‘Mr Bleaney’ the ‘tale’ of a man who ‘warrants no better’ than a small, empty room where family do not visit. The protagonists created by Larkin are
Shocking, as the honesty and stark nature in which they are described makes you realise that, “that could be me if I choose to watch life rather than participate in it”.

A great collection of poetry written by a man commonly misunderstood because of his honest, tender and shocking observations on life, love and death. Larkin has his hands gripped firmly on reality and is massively aware and unafraid to express his worries, fears and concerns to others whether or not they are things one wants to hear.

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Ms. S. J. Smith VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
Larkin's poetry is very commonly perceived as being highly negative and melancholic, with themes such as death and disappointment featuring frequently throughout. However when reading the Whitsun weddings you can't help but feel that Larkin is simply creating a voice for our own personal worries and concerns.

Due to his sharp, perceptive observations on life and its many obstacles, we see that Larkin is not a miserable character, and the only reason he is perceived as being this way is because his poems within the Whitsun weddings are of death, disappointment and failing love and are stereotypically things we don't want to hear but sadly are very true to life's journey.

The collection works well as it creates a variety of mood and tone, never having two poems of the same theme next to each other. Larkin adopts the persona of the everyday man when narrating the poems and we see characters such as 'Arnold' in 'Self's the Man' that are thoroughly unfulfilled in their lives. When reading the poems you can see how thought provoking they really are, as they sometimes read as warnings, such as 'Mr Bleaney' the 'tale' of a man who 'warrants no better' than a small, empty room where family do not visit. The protagonists created by Larkin are shocking, as the honesty and stark nature in which they are described makes you realise that, "that could be me if I choose to watch life rather than participate in it".

A great collection of poetry written by a man commonly misunderstood because of his honest, tender and shocking observations on life, love and death. Larkin has his hands gripped firmly on reality and is massively aware and unafraid to express his worries, fears and concerns to others whether or not they are things one wants to hear.

Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
THe Whitsun Weddings
Product (Philip Larkin's The Whitsun Weddings) arrived on time. Brilliant condition just as decribed by seller. Very useful for my A-level coursework.
Published 8 months ago by Hayden B
Value for money
I bought this when in college doing A Level English, so had to buy it rather than out of choice. However compared to book stores the price was fantastic. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Sarah
A room with a view: Mr Bleaney in Larkin's Whitsun Weddings
Have you ever read your old notes or annnotations?

I was looking at this poem again on Saturday after a long gap I think of about 20 years! Read more
Published 18 months ago by J. S. Lewison
Proper poetry
The reason for buying Larkin is to experience a piece of literary legend. Don't expect to be uplifted or cheered! Read more
Published on 23 April 2009 by A. Burton
Depressing but Important
Undoubtedly Larkin is a great poet but as others have said his morbidity can become annoying. However, just because you disagree with someone's philosophy and perceptions in life... Read more
Published on 10 April 2009 by I. M. Knight
Philip Larkin, 'The Whitson Weddings'.
First published in 1964 this collection established Larkin as one of Britain's finest poets since John Betjeman. Read more
Published on 27 Mar 2009 by Chris Flanagan
Inspiring
Philip Larkin's work is absolutely astounding. My introduction to his work in Higher English has impacted me without a doubt. Read more
Published on 27 Jan 2007 by Stumpy
Depressing, cynical, profoudnly dull...I could go on.
This selection is one which a reader will either adore or despise. By my title, one can safely assume I fall into the category of utter despise for this piece. Read more
Published on 12 Jan 2006
What survives...
My introduction to Philip Larkin and his collection of verse,' The Whitsun Weddings' I owe to my friend David Evennett, one-time Member of Parliament for Erith and Crayford. Read more
Published on 1 July 2005 by Kurt Messick
Contains some of the great man's finest work
Between The Less Deceived (which contained some great poems, 'Coming' among them) and this volume, Larkin developed - evolved, if you like - into the leading poet of his day. Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2002
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