A Study Of Reading Habits - A poem by Philip Larkin

Philip Larkin - A Study Of Reading Habits

When getting my nose in a book
Cured most things short of school,
It was worth ruining my eyes
To know I could still keep cool,
And deal out the old right hook
To dirty dogs twice my size.

Later, with inch-thick specs,
Evil was just my lark:
Me and my coat and fangs
Had ripping times in the dark.
The women I clubbed with sex!
I broke them up like meringues.

Don't read much now: the dude
Who lets the girl down before
The hero arrives, the chap
Who's yellow and keeps the store
Seem far too familiar. Get stewed:
Books are a load of crap.

Added: on December 1st, 2005 at 8:27 PM | Viewed: 16841 times | Comments (5)

A Study Of Reading Habits - Comments and Information
Poet: Philip Larkin Poem: A Study Of Reading Habits Volume: The Whitsun Weddings Year: Published/Written in 1964 Comment 5 of 5, added on November 16th, 2009 at 11:08 PM. the author actually went to college to become a professional librarian so i don't think that he thinks 'books are a load of crap.' this is probably from a different viewpoint of maybe someone he knows or a time in life when he is feeling as if he has wasted his life on these books that he has invested his life in but since he is a poet and novelist i don't think that he would consider books as such. These may be actual experiences but maybe a dramatization of feelings. joyce from United States Comment 4 of 5, added on May 2nd, 2006 at 11:59 AM. This has some resonance for me. I don't know anything about Larkins youth\life but this poem has to be autobiographical..? I guess as a child he used to dive into a book to avoid dealing with problems and people (women?). As he grew up he realised this was a mistake. I think maybe he overcompensated(?) Chased women to the point of mania?? Anyway he regets past choices and the life path it lead him to. The last line is a warning, don't make my mistakes: 'books are crap'. Andrew from United Kingdom Comment 3 of 5, added on December 1st, 2005 at 8:27 PM. Sounds like he couldn't get it up in bed "lets the girl down before the hero arrives" Universe Man from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, A Study Of Reading Habits, has received 5 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Philip Larkin with others on the Poetry Connection poetry forum!

Poem Info
A Study Of Reading Habits Volume: The Whitsun Weddings Year: Published/Written in 1964 Last read: 2010-02-09 11:35:36 Viewed 16841 times. Added on December 1st, 2005 at 8:27 PM.

Larkin Info
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