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 November 28th, 2005 at 5:26 AM | Viewed: 15227 times | Comments (4)

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 4 of 4, 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 4, 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 Comment 2 of 4, added on November 28th, 2005 at 5:26 AM. his poetry is very sensual and i can feel the vibes around me when im reading it. his poetry is very inspiring as after i have read it i tackled one of the largest mountains in the andes. it gave me the strength and the motivation to tackle this phenomenal construction that nature has provided us. his words are truly memorable and i recite them when the going gets tough. im larkin till i die. dan from Peru 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 4 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: 2009-11-08 00:53:24 Viewed 15227 times. Added on November 28th, 2005 at 5:26 AM.

Larkin Info
Biography More Poems (95 poems) Books