JillA young man from Northern England struggles to find a sense of belonging at Oxford University during WWII in this “brilliant” novel by a literary icon (The Times). John, who’s never traveled far from his northern town of Huddleston, finds himself an undergraduate at Oxford University in 1940. A shy, insecure working-class young man, he is awed by his confident, careless roommate and yearns to fit in, clumsily pursuing a girl from a wealthy family. But as his efforts fail, he retreats further into a dream world in this early novel by Philip Larkin, who would go on to become one of the most celebrated poetic voices of postwar Britain. “Provides a revealing portrait of Oxford and the English class system as it existed during World War II . . . Mr. Larkin’s gift for using landscape as a mirror of an individual’s emotions is very much in evidence.” —The New York Times Includes an introduction by the author |
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... Elizabeth's visits be limited to between two and seven o'clock in the afternoon. College authorities today have been known to turn a blind eye to girls actually living in college , aware of the outcry disciplinary action.
... Elizabeth's visits be limited to between two and seven o'clock in the afternoon. College authorities today have been known to turn a blind eye to girls actually living in college , aware of the outcry disciplinary action.
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... Elizabeth Dowling , Eddy Makepeace , Patrick Dowling and Hugh Stanning - Smith . " He smiled blindly from face to face . They looked at him , and smiled too . The room was large and airy , and in a terrible mess . Tea was laid on the ...
... Elizabeth Dowling , Eddy Makepeace , Patrick Dowling and Hugh Stanning - Smith . " He smiled blindly from face to face . They looked at him , and smiled too . The room was large and airy , and in a terrible mess . Tea was laid on the ...
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... Elizabeth . " But he's lazy . " " And he's going to sit all night , too . " Patrick gave a sudden disconcerting roar of laughter , then stuffed cake into his mouth . As no one showed any signs of rising , John took off his coat and ...
... Elizabeth . " But he's lazy . " " And he's going to sit all night , too . " Patrick gave a sudden disconcerting roar of laughter , then stuffed cake into his mouth . As no one showed any signs of rising , John took off his coat and ...
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... Elizabeth . He looked at her suspiciously , but with lowered eyelashes she merely recrossed her legs and straightened her skirt . Could he be imagining things ? All their faces bore expressions of unconcern : Christopher Warner - John ...
... Elizabeth . He looked at her suspiciously , but with lowered eyelashes she merely recrossed her legs and straightened her skirt . Could he be imagining things ? All their faces bore expressions of unconcern : Christopher Warner - John ...
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... Elizabeth snatched her tiny handkerchief again , and , holding it to her eyes , shook with merriment . Eddy Makepeace gave short barks of laughter , that were irritating because they sounded forced : Hugh Stanning - Smith was chuckling ...
... Elizabeth snatched her tiny handkerchief again , and , holding it to her eyes , shook with merriment . Eddy Makepeace gave short barks of laughter , that were irritating because they sounded forced : Hugh Stanning - Smith was chuckling ...
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Common terms and phrases
afternoon asked beer began bottle bowler hat Chris Christopher Warner Christopher's cigarette College Crouch d'you damn dark desk door drink Eddy's Edward du Cann Elizabeth empty eyes face feel felt fire fountain pen gave Gavin Bone girl glass gone grinned hair Hallo hands head Higher School Certificate Huddlesford Jill Joe Kemp John heard John Kemp John looked John's Junior Common Room knew Lamprey laugh laughter leaving letter light listened looked round mind Minerva morning mouth never night noticed overcoat Oxford Patrick Patrick Dowling paused pocket porter pulled pushed remember seemed sherry glasses sitting smiled smoke sofa sound stared stood stopped street suddenly talking teacake Thank there's things thought took town trying turned Tutor voice walked watched Whitbread window wondered