November 1983 Issue [Palpitations] Philip Larkin’s enormous yes Adjust Share A connoisseur of doom whose wit refuses to die by James Wolcott, This article is only available as a PDF to subscribers. Download PDF Tags 20th century Anthony Thwaite English poetry History and criticism Philip Larkin Poets, English More from James Wolcott Hammett’s long goodbye A deferential biography of literature's Marlboro man The prince of finesse Nine hundred pages of criticism prove that John Updike is no air-dancing dandy Mooing in the meadows of love Confessional novels that give real life a bad name Adjust Share