By tf-lawyer.com In a recent interview, acclaimed author Alan Hollinghurst opened up about his early influences, the transformative power of literature, and his current writing projects.
**What is your earliest reading memory?**
Hollinghurst recalls, “My earliest reading memory is AA Milne’s *When We Were Very Young*. The transition from chanting along with the poems to being able to read them myself was pure magic for me.”
**Which book stands out as your favorite from your childhood?**
For Hollinghurst, it’s clear: “That would have to be anything by P.G. Wodehouse, especially the stories featuring Jeeves and Bertie Wooster. I loved how these characters were brought to life on television in the 1960s by Dennis Price and Ian Carmichael. My friends and I often mimicked their dialogues; I even spoke like Jeeves for years, which must have been quite tiresome for everyone around me!”
**Was there a book that significantly changed you during your teenage years?**
“Definitely. *Fifteen Poets: From Chaucer to Arnold*, which was an unassuming school anthology, opened up new horizons for me. I memorized much of it—Milton’s sonnets, Wordsworth, Keats, and Tennyson. It taught me about imagery, metaphor, structure, and even grammar, all of which I still rely on today.”
**Can you identify a writer who had a profound impact on you?**
“Edmund White, for sure,” he emphasizes. “He opened my mind in my late 20s to the possibilities available to a gay writer. His work, especially *A Boy’s Own Story*, was astonishing. It was a shock to experience such honest storytelling executed with elegance.”
**What book inspired you to pursue writing?**
“For me, that would be *The Wild Boys* by William Burroughs. At 19, I didn’t understand everything, but I was captivated by its unconventional structure and provocative themes. It sparked my ambition to write my own novels, although my early attempts were quite experimental and rarely made it past chapter two. Eventually, I found my footing.”
**Is there a book you find yourself returning to?**
“Absolutely, Penelope Fitzgerald’s *Offshore*. It’s remarkable how such a brief novel can carry so much depth, revealing even more with each read. I admire her storytelling economy—the way she captures entire lives with just a few strokes. It’s a deeply personal gift, and the craftsmanship behind it remains a lovely enigma to me.”
**Conversely, what book could you never read again?**
“That would be J.R.R. Tolkien’s *The Lord of the Rings*. I was completely absorbed by it during my early teens, re-reading it six times in a row. I even drew maps of Gondor and Mordor and wrote letters in dwarfish runes. After that sixth read, I just couldn’t pick it up again, and I haven’t tried since.”
**What literary discovery have you made later in life?**
“I had long heard that James Baldwin was a great essayist but not a strong novelist. However, when I finally read his novels, I was overwhelmed by their daring, intensity, stylistic brilliance, and deep insights on every page. *Tell Me How Long the Train’s Been Gone* particularly resonates with me.”
**What are you currently reading?**
“I’m captivated by Rachel Kushner’s *Creation Lake*. It’s a brilliant and suspenseful novel that navigates complex ideas in a way I haven’t found especially compelling before.”
**Do you have a comfort read?**
“I enjoy diving into large architectural books filled with pictures and intricate plans. For a couple of hours, I can indulge in my teenage dream of becoming an architect.”
Hollinghurst’s reflections not only illuminate his literary journey but also highlight the profound ways books can shape our lives. His latest work, *Our Evenings*, is now available from Picador, showcasing his rich storytelling once again.
