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Jill

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( 1,045 ratings, 120 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Jill by Philip Larkin is set during World War II and follows John Kemp, a young, idealistic student arriving at Oxford University for the first time. Amidst the backdrop of academia and war, John invents an imaginary sister named Jill to cope with loneliness and the pressures of university life. This novel explores themes of identity, friendship, and the complexities of growing up in a rapidly changing world.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate poignant coming-of-age stories set against the backdrop of wartime England. It offers a thoughtful exploration of innocence, identity, and the impacts of social class on personal growth, making it a compelling read for those intrigued by character-driven narratives.

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A coming-of-age classic by the 'best-loved English poetof the past 100 years. (Sunday Times) published to celebrateLarkin's centenary.

A coming-of-age classic by the 'best-loved English poet of the past 100 years. (Sunday Times) published to celebrate Larkin's centenary.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Jill is Philip Larkin's first novel, originally published in 1946. A subtle and moving account of a young English undergraduate from the provinces, this portrait of Oxford during the war is now regarded by many critics as a classic of its kind.

Michaelmas term, 1940. 18-year-old John Kemp has come down from Lancashire to Oxford University to begin his scholarship studying English. But when he invents an imaginary sister to win the attention of a rich but unreliable 'friend', and then falls in love for real, undergraduate life becomes its own strange world.

"Absolutely contemporary - perhaps even prophetic." - Joyce Carol Oates

"Remarkable. A book about innocence." - Simon Garfield

"A cryptic literary manifesto [about] discovering a literary personality, and the consolation art can provide." - Andrew Motion

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Jill by Philip Larkin is praised for its emotional control, precise language, and keen observation. The novel explores themes of anticipated failure and sadness, while also serving as a literary manifesto about discovering one's literary identity and the consolations of art.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780571225828

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 March 2005

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Faber & Faber

Edition: Main - Re-issue

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 17.0mm

Width: 17.0mm

Height: 123.0mm

Weight: 205g

Pages: 256

About the Author

Philip Larkin was born in Coventry in 1922 and was educated at King Henry VIII School, Coventry, and St John's College, Oxford. As well as his volumes of poems, which include The Whitsun Weddings and High Windows, he wrote two novels, Jill and A Girl in Winter, and two books of collected journalism: All What Jazz: A Record Library, and Required Writing: Miscellaneous Prose. He worked as a librarian at the University of Hull from 1955 until his death in 1985. He was the best-loved poet of his generation, and the recipient of innumerable honours, including the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry, and the WHSmith Award.

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  • Philip Larkin: Letters to Monica
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