Andrew Miller's Formative Reading Experiences Revealed in Unlikely Ways.
The renowned author has shared his earliest reading memories with us, offering a glimpse into how certain books have shaped his life. One particular passage from DH Lawrence's 'The Rainbow' stands out – the author claims that it was this book which propelled him onto his feet as a 17-year-old reader, fueling an unrelenting passion to create something similar.
Miller's reading habits took a dramatic turn with Albert Camus's 'The Myth of Sisyphus', which introduced him to the concept of 'amor fati' or "the love of one's fate." As he delved deeper into this philosophical work, Miller realized that it was precisely these themes of absurdity and futility that would drive his writing.
The book that truly ignited a desire in Miller to write was none other than Rosemary Sutcliff's 'The Eagle of the Ninth', a historical fiction novel set in Roman Britain. The setting of this classic work resonated deeply with Miller, an avid enthusiast of Ancient Roman history. He vividly recalls reading it aloud with his father on Sunday mornings.
Miller's appreciation for literature has not been confined to the realm of serious writers alone; he also confesses to having a soft spot for more popular genres like thrillers by authors such as Alistair MacLean and Desmond Bagley. However, these beloved titles have become too familiar for him to read again without struggling back into his old reading habits.
In contrast, Miller has recently discovered the works of 18th-century German poet Christiane Klemperer through Penelope Fitzgerald's 'The Blue Flower', which he describes as a "thrillingly strange" and humorous masterpiece. The complexity of Fitzgerald's style resonates deeply with Miller, offering an entirely new dimension to his reading experience.
Miller has also found himself revisiting the works of Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell, whose writing continues to inspire him with its quiet authority and poise. As he delves into their poetry, he is drawn to the simplicity yet depth they bring to their craft – an elegance that remains unparalleled in modern literature.
In a remarkable display of literary eclecticism, Miller's reading tastes span multiple genres, authors, and eras. Yet, it's his affinity for lesser-known writers like Fitzgerald and Bishop that provides him with a deeper connection to the written word – one that echoes through his own writing style and creative process.
The renowned author has shared his earliest reading memories with us, offering a glimpse into how certain books have shaped his life. One particular passage from DH Lawrence's 'The Rainbow' stands out – the author claims that it was this book which propelled him onto his feet as a 17-year-old reader, fueling an unrelenting passion to create something similar.
Miller's reading habits took a dramatic turn with Albert Camus's 'The Myth of Sisyphus', which introduced him to the concept of 'amor fati' or "the love of one's fate." As he delved deeper into this philosophical work, Miller realized that it was precisely these themes of absurdity and futility that would drive his writing.
The book that truly ignited a desire in Miller to write was none other than Rosemary Sutcliff's 'The Eagle of the Ninth', a historical fiction novel set in Roman Britain. The setting of this classic work resonated deeply with Miller, an avid enthusiast of Ancient Roman history. He vividly recalls reading it aloud with his father on Sunday mornings.
Miller's appreciation for literature has not been confined to the realm of serious writers alone; he also confesses to having a soft spot for more popular genres like thrillers by authors such as Alistair MacLean and Desmond Bagley. However, these beloved titles have become too familiar for him to read again without struggling back into his old reading habits.
In contrast, Miller has recently discovered the works of 18th-century German poet Christiane Klemperer through Penelope Fitzgerald's 'The Blue Flower', which he describes as a "thrillingly strange" and humorous masterpiece. The complexity of Fitzgerald's style resonates deeply with Miller, offering an entirely new dimension to his reading experience.
Miller has also found himself revisiting the works of Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell, whose writing continues to inspire him with its quiet authority and poise. As he delves into their poetry, he is drawn to the simplicity yet depth they bring to their craft – an elegance that remains unparalleled in modern literature.
In a remarkable display of literary eclecticism, Miller's reading tastes span multiple genres, authors, and eras. Yet, it's his affinity for lesser-known writers like Fitzgerald and Bishop that provides him with a deeper connection to the written word – one that echoes through his own writing style and creative process.
. I mean, who knew that a 17-year-old boy could be so deeply impacted by DH Lawrence's 'The Rainbow'? It's crazy how those early experiences can shape us into the people we become. And can you believe he discovered Christiane Klemperer through Penelope Fitzgerald's poetry? Mind blown! 
. It makes me want to go back to my own childhood and re-read all those favorite books with my parents.
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i feel like i'm still getting into books at 17 lol. and its so cool how he mentions 'the eagle of the ninth' being one of his fave books - i've read it in school and loved it too! 
rosemary sutcliff is amazing, right? anyway, i totally get why camus's book resonated with him - the absurdity thing is def something i try to explore in my own writing. but what i love about miller's taste in books is that he reads everything from thrillers to poetry and still manages to connect it all back to his own writing style 
And then he goes on to talk about Albert Camus and how his writing style influenced him... it's just mind-blowing how much depth you can find in those classic works.
. Like, 'The Rainbow' really sparked something in him at 17, you know? And then Albert Camus's philosophy totally changed the way he thinks about life and stuff... it makes sense that his writing would be all about absurdity and futility 
. I'm more into thrillers myself, but Miller's found some amazing lesser-known writers like Christiane Klemperer – their poetry is so unique and funny 
i'm also loving how he's revisiting the works of Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell – their poetry is so elegant and thought-provoking. 
And can we talk about Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell for a sec? Their writing style is giving me all the elegance and poise... 
It just goes to show that there's always more to discover in the world of literature 
...from classical faves like Lawrence & Camus, to thriller faves like MacLean & Bagley, he's got a taste for it all 
i mean, Andrew Miller's got this amazing range of tastes from classic novels to thrillers & poetry... his love for The Rainbow & Sisyphus is so inspiring! 
But what really caught my eye was his discovery of Christiane Klemperer through Penelope Fitzgerald's 'The Blue Flower', I've been meaning to read that one for ages now 
! The idea that our reading experiences shape us into the writers we become is so true 
. And then there's Christiane Klemperer, she's a new name for me, but her poetry sounds 
amazing, Penelope Fitzgerald did an awesome job introducing him to her work 
[gif of a snail leaving a trail behind] but others are like "let me find something new and weird to obsess over" 
I'm loving how Miller's reading journey is so visual 
. I'm curious to know more about how these books influenced him – did they have a ripple effect on his writing style?