When discussing contemporary literature that weaves together ecology, intimacy, and critical social thought, the name Daisy Lafarge stands out. A poet, novelist, essayist, and visual artist, she has emerged as one of the most striking voices in British writing today. Her work resists easy categorisation, moving between poetry, fiction, and nonfiction while maintaining a strong commitment to ecological thought, power dynamics, and human vulnerability.
Early Life and Background
Daisy Lafarge was born in Hastings, a town on England’s southern coast. Growing up in an environment that combined both natural beauty and social change, Lafarge developed a fascination with the relationship between humans and the wider environment. She studied in Edinburgh and later completed doctoral research at the University of Glasgow. Her PhD work spanned creative writing, geography, and molecular epidemiology, demonstrating her unusual ability to integrate science with art.
This academic background continues to shape her creative work. Rather than keeping science and literature apart, Lafarge often allows them to collide. This gives her writing a distinctive texture—at once lyrical, philosophical, and deeply informed by scientific ways of understanding the world.
Career Beginnings and Recognition
Lafarge first came to wide attention when she won the prestigious Eric Gregory Award for poetry in 2017, an honour given to promising young poets in the UK. This recognition established her as a writer to watch and gave her the confidence to pursue larger projects.
Her pamphlet The Terrarium hinted at her preoccupation with ecological imagery and the fragility of life. Critics noted that she had an unusual sensitivity to both language and the natural world, a combination that would define her later work.
Life Without Air: A Landmark Poetry Collection
In 2020, Lafarge released her first full collection of poetry, Life Without Air, published by Granta. The book was shortlisted for the T. S. Eliot Prize, one of the most significant awards in poetry, and was named Scottish Poetry Book of the Year.
The collection takes its title from a phrase describing anaerobic organisms—life that exists without oxygen. This metaphor extends into the poems, which explore suffocation, toxicity, survival, and resilience. Critics praised the book for its ability to combine personal reflection with environmental critique, addressing both the intimate struggles of human relationships and the larger crises of ecological collapse.
One of the striking features of the collection is how Lafarge uses scientific imagery without losing lyrical beauty. She draws on the language of microbiology, chemistry, and ecology, but reshapes it into art that resonates emotionally with readers.
Paul: A Novel of Power and Intimacy
Following the success of her poetry, Lafarge published her debut novel, Paul, in 2021. The book tells the story of Frances, a young woman who becomes entangled in a relationship with an older man named Paul while working abroad. At first, the relationship seems liberating, but gradually darker dynamics emerge.
Paul is a novel about power, control, and seduction. It examines the ways intimacy can become contaminated by manipulation, echoing the toxic relationships between humans and the environments they exploit. Critics described the novel as unsettling yet mesmerising, and it was awarded a Betty Trask Prize as well as being chosen as a New York Times Editors’ Choice.
Through this work, Lafarge extended her exploration of ecology into the social world: just as toxins spread invisibly in nature, unhealthy dynamics spread within human relationships.
Lovebug and Essays on Ecology and Intimacy
Lafarge continued her cross-genre work with Lovebug, a nonfiction book published in 2023. It investigates the language of infection, intimacy, and desire, blending essay, memoir, and cultural history. The book highlights her skill in drawing parallels between the biological and the emotional, asking readers to consider what it means to host, to be infected, and to live with vulnerability.
Her essays often reflect on parasitism, toxicity, and the ethics of co-existence. These concerns are not limited to science but are extended to social justice, feminism, and ecological survival. In this sense, Lafarge’s writing belongs to the growing field of eco-critical literature, which insists that art cannot ignore the climate crisis or its deep social implications.
Themes in Daisy Lafarge’s Work
Ecology and Environmental Thought
At the heart of Lafarge’s work lies ecology. She views the environment not as a backdrop but as a central character in human life. From the microbiological level to planetary systems, she shows how humans are inseparably linked to nature.
Intimacy and Power
Whether in poetry or fiction, Lafarge often explores how relationships are shaped by dynamics of control, dependence, and vulnerability. Paul in particular highlights how intimacy can become suffocating rather than liberating.
Infection and Toxicity
Biological metaphors—parasites, viruses, toxins—appear repeatedly in her work. These are not just scientific terms but ways of thinking about emotional and social contamination.
Resistance and Survival
While Lafarge writes about suffocation and toxicity, she also highlights resilience. Her characters, poems, and essays often seek ways to survive, adapt, and resist oppressive forces.
Critical Reception
Critics have consistently praised Lafarge’s originality. Her poetry collection Life Without Air was hailed as “dazzling” and “urgent,” while Paul was described as “compelling and disquieting.” Reviewers admire her ability to bridge scientific knowledge and poetic imagination, making her a unique figure in British literature.
At the same time, some readers find her work challenging. Her use of dense imagery and shifting perspectives demands attention and reflection. Yet this difficulty is precisely what makes her writing powerful—it refuses simplification and asks readers to engage deeply.
Awards and Achievements
- Eric Gregory Award (2017) for emerging poets.
- Betty Trask Award (2021) for her debut novel Paul.
- Shortlisted for the T. S. Eliot Prize (2020) for Life Without Air.
- Scottish Poetry Book of the Year for the same collection.
- Recognition in international publications, including The New York Times.
These honours reflect her ability to resonate across genres and audiences.
Personal Challenges and Advocacy
Beyond her writing, Lafarge has spoken publicly about her experiences with disability, particularly her diagnosis with hypermobility Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS). By sharing her journey, she has contributed to conversations about chronic illness, accessibility, and the role of vulnerability in creative life.
Her openness further strengthens her role as a writer committed not just to art but also to human truth.
Influence and Legacy
Though still early in her career, Daisy Lafarge has already shaped contemporary literature in the UK. She represents a generation of writers who refuse to separate ecological crisis from human experience. Her blending of scientific research with lyrical expression has opened new possibilities for poetry and prose.
She also serves as a role model for writers who want to resist traditional boundaries between genres. By moving between poetry, fiction, essays, and visual art, Lafarge shows that literature can thrive in hybrid forms.
Conclusion
Daisy Lafarge is more than a poet or novelist—she is a thinker who uses language to interrogate the deepest connections between ecology, intimacy, and power. From Life Without Air to Paul and Lovebug, her works reveal the hidden links between human vulnerability and the world we inhabit.
Her writing reminds us that art is not separate from life: it is a way of grappling with toxicity, survival, and resilience. In a time when ecological crisis and social inequality dominate our headlines, Lafarge’s voice offers clarity, urgency, and hope. She is a writer whose work is destined to influence both literature and cultural thought for years to come.
