Andrew Motion, former UK Poet Laureate, reveals how Wilfred Owen became a sacred text and shaped his literary life. In this exclusive interview, he shares the books that defined his childhood, teenage years, and career.
Early Reading Memories: My Father's Dragon
Motion recalls his first cherished book, My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett, given by his grandmother when he was seven. His parents were country folk who valued animals over reading—his father claimed to have read only half a book in his life, The Lonely Skier by Hammond Innes. Yet that whimsical dragon story sparked an early love for storytelling.
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Teenage Turning Point: Wilfred Owen's Collected Poems
At secondary school, a history teacher read Wilfred Owen during a World War I lesson. Motion says, "the poetry-lights in my mind immediately flickered on." He bought Owen's Collected Poems, which became a sacred text he still treasures. This marked a pivotal shift from casual reader to devoted poet.
The Book That Made Him a Writer
Motion didn't actively decide to become a writer until he found himself writing. His A-level anthology Theme and Variations (edited by RB Heath) felt like discovering Tutankhamun's tomb. He began tinkering with his own poems, inspired by the anthology's austere yet powerful selections.
Authors He Returned To: Alexander Pope
Initially baffled by Alexander Pope's An Epistle to Dr Arbuthnot, Motion later came to admire Pope as a genius of thought and technique. Fifty years on, Pope remains one of the poets he most respects—a testament to how literary tastes evolve.
Books He Rereads: The Prelude and 77 Dream Songs
Motion returns to Wordsworth's The Prelude (in its earlier versions) and John Berryman's 77 Dream Songs. He calls these two poetic autobiographies "the breath of life." They offer enduring inspiration and a sense of personal connection.
Comparison Table: Books That Shaped Andrew Motion
| Book | Author | Impact on Motion |
|---|---|---|
| My Father's Dragon | Ruth Stiles Gannett | First cherished reading memory |
| White Eagles Over Serbia | Lawrence Durrell | Teenage badge of maturity |
| Collected Poems | Wilfred Owen | Sacred text, lifelong influence |
| Theme and Variations | RB Heath (editor) | Sparked his own poetry |
| An Epistle to Dr Arbuthnot | Alexander Pope | Later became a most-admired poet |
| The Prelude | William Wordsworth | Reread as breath of life |
| 77 Dream Songs | John Berryman | Reread as poetic autobiography |
Key Takeaways for Readers
- Start early: A single book can ignite a lifelong passion for reading.
- Embrace difficulty: Books that baffle you at first can become favorites later.
- Reread classics: Returning to great works deepens appreciation.
- Poetry matters: Wilfred Owen and Alexander Pope shaped a Poet Laureate.
FAQ
What was Andrew Motion's first reading memory?
His first reading memory was My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett, given by his grandmother when he was about seven years old.
Which book became a sacred text for Andrew Motion?
Wilfred Owen's Collected Poems became a sacred text for Motion after a history teacher introduced him to Owen's poetry during World War I lessons.
What book made Andrew Motion want to become a writer?
His A-level poetry anthology Theme and Variations (edited by RB Heath) made him feel like discovering Tutankhamun's tomb, inspiring him to write his own poems.
Which authors does Andrew Motion reread?
He rereads Wordsworth's The Prelude and John Berryman's 77 Dream Songs, calling them poetic autobiographies that feel like the breath of life.
Andrew Motion's literary journey shows how a single book—whether a childhood dragon story or a war poet's collected works—can shape a lifetime of reading and writing. Explore these titles to find your own sacred texts.
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