Daisy Johnson's Literary Journey: From Booker Shortlist to Comfort Reads
Daisy Johnson, the acclaimed author whose debut novel Everything Under earned a spot on the 2018 Booker prize shortlist, recently opened up about the books that have shaped her life and writing career. In a candid reflection, she delves into her earliest reading memories, transformative teenage encounters, and the authors who continue to inspire her.
Earliest Reading Memories and Childhood Favorites
As Johnson reads to her own young children, memories from her own childhood resurface. She recalls the vivid illustrations in Helen Cooper's The Bear Under the Stairs and Lane Smith's The Big Pets, which transport her back to being four years old and listening to stories being read aloud. Growing up, she developed a deep affection for Garth Nix's Sabriel series, which she first explored alongside her father and later her younger brother. This shared experience created a unique bond, immersing them in a fantastical world that strengthened their connection.
Transformative Books and Changing Perspectives
During her teenage years, Johnson discovered Keri Hulme's The Bone People on her parents' bookshelf, likely at an age too young for its complex themes. As a turbulent teenager, she found solace in the story of Kerewin alone in her tower, describing the experience as momentous. The novel's raw portrayal of anger and fear deeply embedded in the writing left a lasting impact. More recently, her perspective has been reshaped by Ed Yong's An Immense World, which explores animal senses and altered her view of the natural world. She also cites Isabella Hammad's Recognising the Stranger: On Palestine and Narrative as an educational work on the genocide of the Palestinian people, and Miriam Toews' Women Talking as a revelation of fiction's potential.
The Path to Becoming a Writer
Johnson's desire to write emerged gradually, without her full realization. She points to Shirley Hughes' Alfie books as an early influence, admiring their beautiful domesticity and pacing. The first time she felt the envious buzz of aspiring to create came with Peter Høeg's Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow, sparking the thought, "What if I could do this?"
Revisiting and Rediscovering Authors
In a notable shift, Johnson revisits her previous stance on David Szalay, now praising his work Flesh as a masterpiece. She is an avid rereader, both for pleasure and as a writer, finding delight in uncovering new layers in familiar texts. Virginia Woolf's Orlando and Mrs Dalloway, first encountered as a literature student, have become frequent returns, with recent rereadings offering fresh insights. On the other hand, she humorously wishes to avoid Dr Seuss's The Lorax again, questioning where to hide it.
Recent Discoveries and Current Reads
Later in life, Johnson has picked up E.M. Forster's A Room With a View, drawn by her love for the character Lucy Honeychurch from the film adaptation, and finds it wonderfully funny. She has also begun exploring the works of Yōko Ogawa, whom she describes as a brilliant writer. Currently, she is reading Jeanette Winterson's One Aladdin Two Lamps and listening to Katherine Rundell's The Poisoned King.
Comfort Reads and Upcoming Work
For comfort, Johnson turns to Annie Proulx's The Shipping News. Her own upcoming novel, Long Wave, is set to be published by Jonathan Cape on July 2. This collection of insights offers a glimpse into the literary influences that fuel one of contemporary fiction's notable voices.
