Daisy Johnson's Literary Journey: From Booker Shortlist to Comfort Reads
Daisy Johnson, the acclaimed author whose debut novel, Everything Under, was shortlisted for the prestigious 2018 Booker Prize, offers a deeply personal glimpse into the books that have shaped her life and career. In a candid reflection, she traces her literary path from earliest memories to current influences, revealing how reading has been a constant source of connection, inspiration, and transformation.
Earliest Reading Memories and Childhood Favourites
As Johnson reads to her own young children today, memories from her own childhood begin to resurface with vivid clarity. She recalls the enchanting illustrations in Helen Cooper's The Bear Under the Stairs and Lane Smith's The Big Pets, which transport her back to the age of four, when she was first being read to. These early experiences laid the foundation for a lifelong love of stories.
Growing up, Johnson developed a profound affection for Garth Nix's Sabriel series. She first discovered these books alongside her father and later shared them with her younger brother, creating a cherished bond through their shared immersion in Nix's fantastical world. This series became more than just entertainment; it was a means of forging deeper familial connections through the magic of literature.
Transformative Teenage Encounters and Changing Perspectives
During her tumultuous teenage years, Johnson stumbled upon Keri Hulme's The Bone People on her parents' bookshelf, likely at an age too young to fully grasp its complexities. As a self-described "swirling hurricane" of a teenager, she found solace and significance in the story of Kerewin, a character isolated in a tower. The novel's raw depiction of anger and fear, deeply embedded in its prose, left a lasting impression on her.
Johnson's mind continues to be reshaped by writing, with recent works like Ed Yong's An Immense World profoundly altering her perception of the natural world. Books such as Isabella Hammad's Recognising the Stranger: On Palestine and Narrative have begun to educate her on critical global issues, while Miriam Toews' Women Talking demonstrated the immense power of fiction to address profound themes.
The Path to Becoming a Writer and Literary Revisits
The desire to write emerged gradually for Johnson, sparked initially by the beautiful domesticity and pacing of Shirley Hughes' Alfie books. However, it was Peter Høeg's Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow that first ignited that "envious buzzing feeling" of wondering if she could create something equally compelling. This moment marked a turning point in her aspirations.
Johnson is an avid rereader, both for pleasure and as a writer seeking new insights. She frequently returns to Virginia Woolf's Orlando and Mrs Dalloway, books she first encountered as a literature student and has revisited with fresh appreciation in recent years. Notably, she has reconsidered her previous stance on David Szalay, now hailing his work Flesh as a masterpiece, showcasing her evolving literary tastes.
Current Reads, Comforts, and Avoidances
Among books she wishes she could avoid, Dr Seuss' The Lorax tops the list, with Johnson humorously questioning where she might hide it. In contrast, she has recently discovered the joys of E.M. Forster's A Room With a View, inspired by the film adaptation, and has begun exploring the works of Yōko Ogawa, whom she describes as a brilliant writer.
Currently, Johnson is reading Jeanette Winterson's One Aladdin Two Lamps and listening to Katherine Rundell's The Poisoned King. For comfort, she turns to Annie Proulx's The Shipping News, a novel that provides solace and familiarity. Her own upcoming work, Long Wave, is set to be published by Jonathan Cape on 2 July, adding another chapter to her distinguished literary career.
