This was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it. thanks for letting me have an advance copy. I'm new to this author.

"... [W]hat seems casual and even discursive is actually carefully constructed."


While this book is ostensibly about Hardy, Housman, Betjeman, Auden, MacNeice, and Larkin, it is really about, and cannot help but be about, Alan Bennett. And I'm quite fine with that. The poems in the "anthology" can be found elsewhere, and each poet's set of collected works is readily available. By the same token there is a wide ranging choice of academic and popular scholarship that addresses each poet's works. We don't really need this book in order to approach any of these poets. But, if you wish to know what Bennett thinks of these poets, if you are curious about how he reacts to their work, or if you would just like a bit of demystification or insightful appreciation, well then you'll have to read this book.

Alan Bennett carries the burden of public intellectual and arts commentator lightly and without affectation. In the secret recesses of his heart he may think he's quite hot stuff, but not a hint or whiff of self-importance mars his writing or his public comments. Rather, he projects as a thoughtful, intelligent, generous and rather forgiving, not to mention modest, observer of the literary scene. That is evident on every page of this book. Sure, his comments and observations regarding the poems are insightful, entertaining and thoughtful. He states his opinions with clarity and authority. But, his sly and deadpan throwaway observations about each poet are where the real pleasures lie.

In a few short lines, or with a telling anecdote, or while quoting some other observer, or with a snippet of an interview excerpt, Bennett manages to capture something of the essential nature of each of these poets - both as men of letters and as simple human beings. There are many observations regarding the poets as private men and public men, and many trenchant judgments regarding those poets' public selves versus their private selves. If you just were to go through the book and highlight each bit that addresses how the poets saw themselves, projected themselves, hid or disguised themselves, or revealed themselves in their work or public comments, I suspect you would be surprised to find that you'd highlighted most of the book.

So, I do like and admire these poets. But I really appreciate Alan Bennett. And, as a consequence of the happy conjunction of these two forces, I particularly enjoyed this book.

(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)