Florence Knapp Reflects on Literary Influences and Writing Aspirations
Florence Knapp, author of the debut novel The Names, has opened up about the books and writers that have shaped her literary journey, revealing a deep appreciation for storytelling's emotional power and craftsmanship.
Early Reading Memories and Emotional Impact
Knapp's earliest reading memory dates back to when she was four years old, during a summer when her mother read E.B. White's Charlotte's Web to her and her older sister. She recalls that her mother was unable to continue reading through her tears, and when a relative took over, they too had to pass the book on after just a few pages, ultimately handing it to her father to finish dry-eyed. This experience, Knapp notes, taught her at a subconscious, cellular level about the profound emotional impact a well-told story can have on both children and adults, gathering everyone into the same imagined space.
Favourite Childhood Books and Nostalgic Details
Growing up, Knapp loved Shirley Hughes's books, appreciating the illustrations as much as the words. Hughes's depictions of unmade beds and busy kitchen tables invited readers into the heart of family life, providing a cosy backdrop to any drama. Moving Molly was a particular favourite, fostering a lifelong nostalgia for the small details that make a place feel like home.
Teenage Discoveries and Literary Awakening
As a teenager, Paula Danziger's There's a Bat in Bunk Five and Francine Pascal's Love & Betrayal & Hold the Mayo introduced Knapp to the existence of boys, marking a shift in her reading interests. However, it was during the summer between GCSEs and A-levels that her perspective on literature deepened. Initially trudging through Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre with resentment over its dense wording and Jane's prolonged stay at Lowood, Knapp found the book coming alive in class when analysed chapter by chapter. This experience sparked her awareness of the craftsmanship in writing.
Aspirations to Write Like Literary Icons
Knapp has always wanted to write, and much of her reading leaves her inspired by specific qualities in other authors. She aspires to emulate Maya Angelou's warmth, which she describes as capable of cocooning readers regardless of the subject, and Claire Keegan's skill in navigating relationships and evoking the complexities of being human in everyday moments.
Comfort Reads and Revisiting Authors
For recalibration, Knapp returns to Oliver Burkeman's Meditations for Mortals, which reminds her how she wants to spend her time. She also revisited Jane Austen as an adult, falling for Persuasion and Sense and Sensibility after finding Emma too fussy as a teenager.
Late Discoveries and Current Reading
In her mid-30s, Knapp discovered Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, expressing amazement at having lived so many years without knowing it. Currently, she is reading Curtis Sittenfeld's short story collection You Think It, I'll Say It, praising Sittenfeld's ability to go straight to the most human, relatable aspects of characters.
Personal Comfort in Writing Process
Knapp finds comfort in a small notebook where she records her daily word counts and thoughts, along with a running total. This practice reassures her on bad days, reminding her that writing a novel often involves missteps, decreasing word counts, moments of despair, and magical days where everything flows freely.
The Names by Florence Knapp is available in paperback from 26 March, published by Phoenix at £9.99.
