Andrew Motion, the former UK Poet Laureate, reveals how Wilfred Owen became a sacred text for him in this exclusive interview. His earliest reading memory is of My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett, given by his grandmother when he was seven. Motion's parents were country folk who valued animals over books, but that didn't stop his love for reading from blooming.
How Wilfred Owen Changed Andrew Motion's Teenage Years
At secondary school, Motion's history teacher read Wilfred Owen's war poetry to the class during a lesson on World War I. The poetry-lights in his mind immediately flickered on. He bought Owen's Collected Poems, which became a kind of sacred text for him—and still is today. This encounter was pivotal in shaping his literary path.
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The Book That Made Motion a Writer
Motion didn't actively want to be a writer until he found himself writing. His A-level poetry anthology, Theme and Variations edited by RB Heath, felt like breaking into Tutankhamun's tomb. It inspired him to tinker with his own poems, launching a career that would make him one of Britain's most respected poets.
Key Literary Influences on Andrew Motion
- Wilfred Owen – His war poetry became a lifelong sacred text.
- Alexander Pope – Initially baffling, later deeply admired for genius technique.
- Wordsworth's The Prelude – Reread for its breath of life.
- John Berryman's 77 Dream Songs – Another poetic autobiography he cherishes.
Comparison Table: Books That Shaped Andrew Motion
| Book | Author | Impact on Motion |
|---|---|---|
| My Father's Dragon | Ruth Stiles Gannett | Earliest reading memory at age 7 |
| White Eagles Over Serbia | Lawrence Durrell | Teenage proof of being grown-up |
| Wilfred Owen's Collected Poems | Wilfred Owen | Sacred text that ignited poetry passion |
| Theme and Variations | RB Heath (editor) | Inspired him to become a writer |
| An Epistle to Dr Arbuthnot | Alexander Pope | Later became one of his most admired poets |
FAQ: Andrew Motion's Literary Journey
What was Andrew Motion's earliest reading memory?
His earliest reading memory was My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett, given by his grandmother when he was about seven years old.
How did Wilfred Owen influence Andrew Motion?
Wilfred Owen's war poetry, read by his history teacher during a World War I lesson, became a sacred text for Motion and ignited his love for poetry.
Which book made Andrew Motion want to become a writer?
The anthology Theme and Variations edited by RB Heath inspired Motion to start writing his own poems, leading to his career as a poet.
Which authors does Andrew Motion come back to?
He returns to Alexander Pope, Wordsworth's The Prelude, and John Berryman's 77 Dream Songs, which he considers the breath of life.
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