Andrew Miller's formative reading experiences had a profound impact on his life and literary tastes. The author's earliest memory of reading was sitting with his mother on the sofa, devouring Mabel the Whale by Patricia King, with its beautiful illustrations by Katherine Evans. This serene scene would become a treasured childhood memory.
As a young boy, Miller developed an obsession with Ancient Roman history, which led him to return to Rosemary Sutcliff's The Eagle of the Ninth repeatedly. He cherished reading about the lost standard of the ninth legion and the atmospheric setting that poured into his being during an outdoor production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Miller's literary journey continued with Albert Camus' The Myth of Sisyphus, which changed his mind about the absurdity of life and encouraged him to be bold. He was fascinated by Camus' philosophy, which he described as "Polish cavalry preparing to charge German tanks." This resonated deeply with Miller, who admired Camus' style and wit.
Lawrence's The Rainbow proved pivotal in Miller's development as a writer. The novel's unapologetic portrayal of life, love, and sex stirred something within him, making him want to create his own work. The fact that the book was censored in 1915 only added to its allure. Miller recalls being madly excited about the possibility of creating something like this himself.
Miller also came back to DH Lawrence due to his admiration for Cambridge critic FR Leavis' views on the two authors. However, it wasn't until he read Joyce's Dubliners that he realized he didn't have to choose between them. The Irish writer offered a different kind of moral seriousness that resonated with Miller.
Recently, Miller has rekindled his love affair with EM Forster, which sparked an appreciation for this author's unique voice and style. Forster's ability to convey deep sanity and urgency in his novels left Miller wanting more.
In stark contrast, Miller admits that reading thrillers by authors like Desmond Bagley and Ian Fleming would be like putting on old clothes – uncomfortable and uninviting. However, Penelope Fitzgerald remains a favorite, whose insightful exploration of madness and humanity has captured Miller's imagination since his mid-30s.
Miller's current reading list features Tom Holland's Dominion, which is helping him rethink his assumptions about Christianity's influence on culture. Alongside this, he's re-reading Elizabeth Bishop's collected poems, which offer a calm authority and precision that he admires.
Finally, Miller confesses to having a deep affection for Tintin albums, despite their complex historical context. Hergé's characters might not approve of his past, but as a nostalgic indulgence, they remain an essential part of Miller's comfort reading experience.
As a young boy, Miller developed an obsession with Ancient Roman history, which led him to return to Rosemary Sutcliff's The Eagle of the Ninth repeatedly. He cherished reading about the lost standard of the ninth legion and the atmospheric setting that poured into his being during an outdoor production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Miller's literary journey continued with Albert Camus' The Myth of Sisyphus, which changed his mind about the absurdity of life and encouraged him to be bold. He was fascinated by Camus' philosophy, which he described as "Polish cavalry preparing to charge German tanks." This resonated deeply with Miller, who admired Camus' style and wit.
Lawrence's The Rainbow proved pivotal in Miller's development as a writer. The novel's unapologetic portrayal of life, love, and sex stirred something within him, making him want to create his own work. The fact that the book was censored in 1915 only added to its allure. Miller recalls being madly excited about the possibility of creating something like this himself.
Miller also came back to DH Lawrence due to his admiration for Cambridge critic FR Leavis' views on the two authors. However, it wasn't until he read Joyce's Dubliners that he realized he didn't have to choose between them. The Irish writer offered a different kind of moral seriousness that resonated with Miller.
Recently, Miller has rekindled his love affair with EM Forster, which sparked an appreciation for this author's unique voice and style. Forster's ability to convey deep sanity and urgency in his novels left Miller wanting more.
In stark contrast, Miller admits that reading thrillers by authors like Desmond Bagley and Ian Fleming would be like putting on old clothes – uncomfortable and uninviting. However, Penelope Fitzgerald remains a favorite, whose insightful exploration of madness and humanity has captured Miller's imagination since his mid-30s.
Miller's current reading list features Tom Holland's Dominion, which is helping him rethink his assumptions about Christianity's influence on culture. Alongside this, he's re-reading Elizabeth Bishop's collected poems, which offer a calm authority and precision that he admires.
Finally, Miller confesses to having a deep affection for Tintin albums, despite their complex historical context. Hergé's characters might not approve of his past, but as a nostalgic indulgence, they remain an essential part of Miller's comfort reading experience.
. It's so cool how his early experiences with books shaped his tastes and interests. I can totally relate to getting obsessed over Ancient Roman history as a kid - there's something about it that just fascinates me too 
. And I'm a huge fan of The Rainbow myself, it's such a powerful and thought-provoking book. But what I love most is how Miller's reading list changes over time, reflecting his growth as a person and a writer 
. It's amazing to see him re-discovering old favorites like EM Forster and Elizabeth Bishop, while also exploring new authors and topics 
? They're just the best comfort read ever!
. Like, who hasn't got a favorite pen-and-paper novel from childhood that still holds up? 
I mean, it's so cool how books from back then still have such a big impact on their lives now. It's like, his love for Ancient Roman history is still super strong! 
. But what's really interesting is how his tastes have changed over the years... it's like, he went from being all about thrillers to being more into literary fiction 
come on! And don't even get me started on Tintin, I mean I guess you can never go wrong with a classic, but it's not exactly the most intellectually stimulating read 
. On a more serious note though, I do love that he's revisiting some of his old faves and discovering new ones - it's always great to see authors exploring different styles and genres 
. It's refreshing to see how Miller's love for literature spans so many genres and eras! Reading is indeed a formative experience that shapes who we are today 
. but seriously, I looked up some stats on authors and genres and it turns out that 70% of readers prefer fiction books ( 
. but what's interesting is how he read Joyce and then Forster and realized they weren't mutually exclusive 
.
. but its also worth noting that the average reader spends around 12 hours reading per month (
) which is pretty interesting!
. And Shakespeare in the park as a kid sounds like an ultimate summer experience 
. But you know what really gets me? How some books can just change ur mind about life, like The Myth of Sisyphus did for him. That's literally the most powerful thing I think any book can do 
. And Lawrence's The Rainbow being censored in 1915 is just crazy... I guess that's what happens when u push boundaries 
.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that some people think it's okay for authors to just pick and choose who inspires them without acknowledging the context of their own life experiences. Like, come on, don't you feel a little guilty for romanticizing about some of these guys? It's not all rainbows and unicorns, folks. I mean, have you read what Miller said about his feelings towards thrillers by Desmond Bagley and Ian Fleming? 
They're like the ultimate literary poseur. And then there's this whole thing with Miller going back to Rosemary Sutcliff because of a theatrical production of A Midsummer Night's Dream... it just feels like some people are more interested in having a cool backstory than actually understanding what they read. 
.
) because they all bring something unique and special to his reading experience. But what about books that aren't necessarily "comfort reads"? Does he ever feel uncomfortable with thrillers or other genres? 
& it's like his favorite memory eva! can u imagine havin that kinda bond w/ ur mum over books? 
and it makes sense that ancient roman history would be a big interest of his - who wouldn't want to explore those epic battles and mythology? 
and its cool that he still has a soft spot for tintin albums 
they might not be everyone's cup of tea, but hey, nostalgia is everything 
he grew up with these amazing books that shaped him into the person he is today and its awesome to see how his reading experiences have influenced his writing style 
! I mean, can you imagine having a formative reading experience like Andrew Miller did? Sitting on the sofa with his mom, devouring Mabel the Whale... sounds so cozy 
. And have you ever read Penelope Fitzgerald's books? Her writing is so insightful and human... it's like she's speaking directly to your soul 
and it's awesome that he found his own voice in writing through the works of Lawrence, Camus, and Joyce.
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