I grew up
in a small rural village in Ireland. We didn’t have the internet, we only had
seven TV channels (and one was in Irish) and there was pretty much nothing to
do except go for walks and read. And so I read everything I could get my hands
on, all the books in my parents’ house, everything in the school library, and
everything in the two local libraries I managed to join. At that age I went
through books the way teenage boys go through food – my mother couldn’t keep
up. It’s a privilege now, in this age of ebooks, and being sent lots of proofs,
that I never run out of reading matter. Here are five books that have really
influenced me and which I’m always urging people to read.
The Secret
History, by Donna Tartt - I have to include this because the plotting and
characterisation are so brilliant. You really feel you’re part of that group
and the gathering sense of doom is almost nauseating. I also love the
narrative’s belated standpoint – we know something terrible is going to happen
and with the force of a Greek tragedy, it can’t be stopped. An erudite and
searing read that deserves all its accolades.
Mansfield
Park, by Jane Austen – an odd choice, which even Jane Austen fans often don’t
like because of the weak central character, but I’ve always loved the richness
of the symbolism and small political references that frame the book in a wider
social context. It’s also the best-plotted of any of her books – just watch how
each section speeds towards a huge reversal.
The Post-Birthday
World, by Lionel Shriver – like everyone else, I loved We Need to Talk About
Kevin (the final 50 pages are among the most powerful in any book ever) but I
almost prefer this quieter follow-up, a split narrative about the choice a
woman makes between two men and how it influences her life, despite the same
events occurring in each version. Brilliantly plotted and with a staggering
level of detail.
A Widow for
One Year - John Irving’s masterpiece, in which everyone is a writer (I’ve always
loved books about writers). The book divides into several almost separate
narratives, incorporating love stories, a murder-mystery, terrible loss, and
moments of great comedy. There are also extracts from the fictional books
written by the characters.
It – I have
to include at least one Stephen King, as he’s a huge influence on me, as most
writers will say. If you ignore the ending of this, it’s a beautiful portrayal
of childhood and friendship, as well as being one of the most terrifying and
disturbing books I’ve ever read. When I first started it aged 14 I had to put
it aside for a year because I couldn’t sleep at night! I also love how he
writes small towns, which inspired me to set my crime fiction series in a small
Northern Ireland border town.
Barre Grond (The Dead Ground) van uitgeverij Ambo/Anthos is nu verkrijgbaar.
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