It’s no secret here on the Ramblings that I’m a huge admirer of the poetry of Philip Larkin; I’ve written before about first reading his work at school and retaining a love of his poems throughout my life. Behind the scenes, however, he’s a complex and often difficult character; as well as being in serial and simultaneous relationships, his views on race and sex can be problematic and his treatment of his female partners leaves a lot to be desired. One of the women in his life, the one who has the strongest claim to be his muse and who was his eventual partner, has had bad press over the years. Monica Jones knew Larkin the longest, and in many ways sacrificed the best part of her life to him. She’s been satirised and marginalised in ways that leave me very uncomfortable. So I was very pleased to come across a new book which promised to shed new light on her and reclaim a life for her in her own right.
Monica’s book plus my Larkins!
The book is “Monica Jones, Philip Larkin and Me” by John Sutherland. The latter studied under Jones at Leicester University and so knew her personally. In the book, he gains access to her letters and reconstructs the life of a fascinating, complext, intelligent woman who’s not really been give the credit she deserves. The book is a wonderful and very personal piece of work which I loved, and have written about for Shiny New Books – you can read my review here!
Jun 04, 2021 @ 08:39:02
I don’t know enough about Monica, but this sounds an interesting new perspective, and from what you say probably long overdue!
Jun 04, 2021 @ 13:37:46
Definitely overdue – the fact that she doesn’t even have a Wiki page of her own says a lot!
Jun 04, 2021 @ 09:05:35
Yours was one of several reviews I read of this interesting topic. To say PL had some problematic traits is putting it mildly. It’s difficult I find to admire the work of an artist who is known to have held obnoxious views – but not impossible. A sour taste still lingers, though.
Jun 04, 2021 @ 13:37:22
It’s a really interesting book, and Jones deserves so much more than the usual cliched dismissals. Larkin (and indeed Jones) are problematic – but his poetry is incredible imho, so I try to look at the art, not the man.
Jun 04, 2021 @ 12:02:13
Very interested in this book, so I’m heading over to SNB to read your piece. It’s very reassuring to hear that you think so highly of it!
Jun 04, 2021 @ 13:36:21
I do – it’s such a fascinating read, and Jones sounds as if she had a major impact on those she taught!
Jun 04, 2021 @ 14:43:02
Unlike you, I haven’t read that much of Larkins poetry. Like you, I absolutely love what I’ve read. He’s one of the greats, at least to me. It probably helps that I know very few of the (probably awful) details of his views on gender & race; just the broad outline.
Such a problem, isn’t it, when the artist is a terrible human being in many respects (abstract question, not aimed specifically at Larkin) yet can create such wonderful work? The usual example here is Wagner. An awful person but I do love his music.
I think I read a piece on this book in The Guardian and thought I might check it out. Will click over and read your review!
Jun 04, 2021 @ 15:40:12
Larkin is *definitely* a great poet, in my view. His personal life – well, that’s something else. It *is* difficult and this disjuncture between art and life is something I struggle with re a lot of creatives I admire. I mean – Ezra Pound! The poetry of his I’ve read has impressed me but he really was quite awful in his later years. Very hard. But I try to dissociated life from art as much as I can, and I will *always* love Larkin’s writing. I do recommend this book – a fascinating read!
Jun 04, 2021 @ 16:26:22
Larkin is my favourite poet! I was first introduced to his poetry at college. Then I went to the university where he was the librarian! I will definitely check this book out.
Jun 04, 2021 @ 16:43:00
One of mine too – I read him at grammar school and loved his work and have loved it ever since!
Jun 04, 2021 @ 16:36:08
I don’t know anything about Monica Jones and this does sound interesting also the debate about admiration of the art and not the artist, lots to think about as always!
Jun 04, 2021 @ 16:42:37
Monica was an academic based at Leicester University, and also a muse and long-time lover of Larkin. She ended up inheriting his estate and outliving him for many years; and had a significant influence on his work as well as his life. But she’s often been vilified and mocked, so it was wonderful to see the balance redressed.
As for art vs artist – such a thorny topic, and I always try not to go to extremes and be balanced. But it can be difficult!
Jun 04, 2021 @ 19:13:29
Monica Jones was mentioned briefly in that Pym biography, so that sort of whetted my appetite. I am holding off getting this for now, but it really does sound fascinating.
Jun 04, 2021 @ 19:56:48
She was a fascinating woman, and the book is such an interesting read. I hope you get to it at some point…
Jun 04, 2021 @ 19:32:38
This sounds so interesting in your review! At least Sutherland knew her – I have read books by those who only have the slightest knowledge of their subject but who think that they are fashionable. I know what you mean about the person versus the writing, as I really rate Angela Thirkell, but some of her novels reveal some disturbing attitudes even though very much of the time.
Jun 04, 2021 @ 19:56:14
It’s a fascinating read, and the fact Sutherland studied with Jones and knew her makes it particularly special. He has some wonderful recollections and insights. As for the artist vs the art, it’s *so* difficult. I read for example the Mitfords back in the day, but I think I would struggle now. I can usually put minor comments to one side, allowing for the context of the time, but they can be hard to stomach…
Jun 04, 2021 @ 21:54:54
I’ve read a few reviews of this book and every one of them has whetted my appetite. It’s long overdue that Jones gets recognition in her own right, rather than as simply an adage to Larkin
Jun 05, 2021 @ 11:53:21
She definitely deserves to be rediscovered and rehabilitated, and this is a wonderful book which certainly aims to do it. One thing I loved was his honesty – he never ignored either Jones or Larkin’s less pleasant traits, so it’s no hagiography, simply an honest and affectionate life of a woman who’d had a significant effect on his life.
Jun 05, 2021 @ 13:40:19
It’s wonderful seeing a few of the talented women who have been vilified or overlooked finally get some acknowledgement. It’s especially interesting that Sutherland was Jones’s student and was perfectly placed to appreciate her strengths.
Jun 05, 2021 @ 15:41:09
It is, and the personal element of Sutherland’s knowledge of her made it an extra special read. I think I enjoyed the sections where he knew her personally the best!
Jun 07, 2021 @ 05:59:54
Jun 13, 2021 @ 21:09:43
I’ve never heard of Monica Jones…I can see why this would be a particularly interesting subject for you, but in general, I agree that the so-called muses deserve a closer look for their own artistry or for their contributions to the bemuseds’ works.
Jun 14, 2021 @ 10:16:54
Definitely! Particularly in a case like this, it does Jones a disservice as she was so important to Larkin’s work!