Ali Smith reveals how her early literary influences still shape her writing today.
The author's love affair with literature began at a tender age. She taught herself to read by deciphering song titles from Beatles 45s, recalling the thrill of recognizing individual words like "I", "Feel", and "Fine". This nascent curiosity eventually led her to champion E.B. White's Charlotte's Web in class, much to Sister Vincent's dismay, who deemed Enid Blyton's books too formulaic.
As she grew older, Smith discovered a treasure trove of writers who would profoundly impact her life and work. Liz Lochhead's Memo for Spring ignited a sense of excitement and hope in the teenager, while Toni Morrison's writing instilled a masterclass on harnessing the aliveness of literature to transform one's own energy.
Muriel Spark and Simone de Beauvoir became beacons of inspiration for Smith, whose prose often echoes the precision and passion of these literary giants. From Spark's Loitering with Intent to Beauvoir's scathing satire in Les Belles Images, Smith has always sought out writers who challenge her perspectives and expand her creative horizons.
More recently, she has found herself enthralled by the works of Liadan Ní Chuinn, whose stories about Ireland and recent history tackle difficult truths with unflinching candour. Meanwhile, Tove Jansson's The Summer Book remains a comfort read, its gentle wisdom on loss, light, and life a balm to Smith's soul.
But it was not until she stumbled upon Henry James' The Golden Bowl that Smith felt the thrill of recognition – as if the author had unlocked a hidden language within her own psyche. Her rapturous outburst to her partner in the garden path is a testament to the enduring power of literature to awaken our inner selves and redefine our understanding of the world.
In this, Smith's conversation with Henry James serves as a reminder that literature has the capacity to reshape us, not merely reflect it – an alchemy that continues to captivate her imagination, even in adulthood.
The author's love affair with literature began at a tender age. She taught herself to read by deciphering song titles from Beatles 45s, recalling the thrill of recognizing individual words like "I", "Feel", and "Fine". This nascent curiosity eventually led her to champion E.B. White's Charlotte's Web in class, much to Sister Vincent's dismay, who deemed Enid Blyton's books too formulaic.
As she grew older, Smith discovered a treasure trove of writers who would profoundly impact her life and work. Liz Lochhead's Memo for Spring ignited a sense of excitement and hope in the teenager, while Toni Morrison's writing instilled a masterclass on harnessing the aliveness of literature to transform one's own energy.
Muriel Spark and Simone de Beauvoir became beacons of inspiration for Smith, whose prose often echoes the precision and passion of these literary giants. From Spark's Loitering with Intent to Beauvoir's scathing satire in Les Belles Images, Smith has always sought out writers who challenge her perspectives and expand her creative horizons.
More recently, she has found herself enthralled by the works of Liadan Ní Chuinn, whose stories about Ireland and recent history tackle difficult truths with unflinching candour. Meanwhile, Tove Jansson's The Summer Book remains a comfort read, its gentle wisdom on loss, light, and life a balm to Smith's soul.
But it was not until she stumbled upon Henry James' The Golden Bowl that Smith felt the thrill of recognition – as if the author had unlocked a hidden language within her own psyche. Her rapturous outburst to her partner in the garden path is a testament to the enduring power of literature to awaken our inner selves and redefine our understanding of the world.
In this, Smith's conversation with Henry James serves as a reminder that literature has the capacity to reshape us, not merely reflect it – an alchemy that continues to captivate her imagination, even in adulthood.
. It's awesome how she's still discovering new authors at 40+ years old 
. I mean, what's up with the Beatles song titles thing? Was it just a random way to get into reading or is there more to it than that? Did she ever look back on her childhood and think, "Hey, this is how I started my love for literature"? 
And what's with the gap between Liz Lochhead and Toni Morrison? Did Smith have to search for authors who spoke to her because those two were a bit of an outlier in terms of style or subject matter? 
i mean, can you imagine reading Beatles song titles as a way to learn how to read lol 
and then discovering Liz Lochhead's Memo for Spring which just changed your life forever 
anyway, it's so cool that she's still finding new writers who inspire her like Liadan Ní Chuinn 
and Tove Jansson's books are literally the most comforting thing ever 
"
. E.B. White's Charlotte's Web is still one of my faves too! 
. Their writing may not always be easy to read, but it's always thought-provoking and impactful 
I'm totally with Ali Smith on this one... her love for literature is so infectious! I mean, who wouldn't want to be inspired by E.B. White's Charlotte's Web or Toni Morrison's masterful storytelling? 
As for Liadan Ní Chuinn, her stories are so thought-provoking, it's no wonder Smith is drawn to them. And The Summer Book by Tove Jansson? Total comfort read 
. But what I think really stands out here is how Ali Smith has found this hidden language within herself through Henry James' writing... that's just magical 
. And I'm not surprised she loves Tove Jansson's The Summer Book - there's something so soothing about her writing, like a warm hug for your soul 
I love how Smith finds inspiration in these writers who aren't afraid to take risks and challenge our perspectives. It's like she's saying, "Hey, I've got my own voice now, and it's gonna be bold!" 
And that Liadan Ní Chuinn book sounds so important – tackling tough truths with unflinching candour is no easy feat! 
. What are some of your favorite books or authors that inspire you to write or just live life to the fullest? 
. Everyone's always going on about how great these classic authors are, but honestly, I find their stuff a bit too old-school for my taste. I mean, Liadan Ní Chuinn might be great at tackling tough truths, but can't she just write something more modern and relatable? And what's up with the obsession over E.B. White's Charlotte's Web? It's just a kids' book 
Like, I get that Sister Vincent didn't like it back then, but still. And what's up with the 45s thing? I mean, isn't that just... a weird way to start learning to read? 
, then reading authors like Ursula K. Le Guin must be total magic for you.
I MEAN, WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO BE INSPIRED BY SOME OF THE GREATEST WRITERS OF ALL TIME?! 
Like, can you imagine deciphering song titles on Beatles 45s to learn how to read? 
And I'm totally here for her love of Henry James – The Golden Bowl is a game-changer!