London Review of Books podcaster, leading poetry critic and Faber poet Mark Ford will lead a deep-dive into one of the 20th-century’s most iconic and popular poets, Philip Larkin and his ‘power to startle and console’, his ‘daring and formal originality’.
So often when brilliant poets are asked advice they say: read read read, and read closely, especially the greats. This is an opportunity to discuss and write poetry with Mark Ford, a major voice in contemporary poetry, Faber poet and leading literary critic.
Mark will lead us through a deep-dive into one of the 20th-century’s most iconic and popular poets, Philip Larkin (who also is not without controversy). The workshop will also include a couple periods of writing inspired by Larkin.
Mark has chosen Philip Larkin because he says Larkin is the most daring and formally original British poet of the second-half of the twentieth century with his power to move and startle, to unsettle and console.
“I'd like to think...that people in pubs would talk about my poems” Philip Larkin
Date: 21 July 2026, 10am to 12.30
Location: Online on Zoom with Cath Drake’s The Verandah
Cost: £30
Booking link: www.cathdrake.com/