Author Derek Owusu Reveals His Journey of Discovering Literature
At just four or five years old, Derek Owusu's earliest reading memory was sparked by his foster dad attempting to teach him how to read using Biff and Chip books. This early start may have laid the groundwork for a lifelong love affair with literature.
Despite not developing a favourite book until his mid-twenties, Owusu has always been drawn to diverse authors and genres. His literary journey is dotted with iconic works such as DH Lawrence's St Mawr, EM Forster's Where Angels Fear to Tread, and HG Wells' The Time Machine. However, it wasn't until he read bell hooks' The Will to Change that Owusu truly grasped the complexities of masculinity.
This turning point in his life was soon followed by a series of epiphanies sparked by other writers. Benjamin Zephaniah's influence convinced him to pursue a master's in creative writing, while Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man, Claudia Rankine's Don't Let Me Be Lonely, and Yrsa Daley-Ward's The Terrible all opened his eyes to the power of literature.
Henry James' work had previously proven inaccessible to Owusu, but a re-reading of Washington Square soon revealed the beauty and complexity of James' writing. His subsequent reading of The Aspern Papers marked a turning point in his literary exploration, followed by five novels read back-to-back.
A comforting familiarity can be found in Ralph Waldo Emerson's Self-Reliance, which Owusu has revisited whenever his self-esteem is wavering. Conversely, Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray – initially captivating but ultimately cloying – has left a lasting impression of disappointment.
The discovery of Richard Yates' A Good School proved to be an unexpected revelation, leaving Owusu with an intense affection for the novel. Currently, he is immersed in Julian Barnes' Departure(s), and The Problems of Philosophy by Bertrand Russell serves as his go-to comfort read.
Owusu's love affair with literature has been a lifelong journey of discovery, shaped by the writers who have left their mark on him.
At just four or five years old, Derek Owusu's earliest reading memory was sparked by his foster dad attempting to teach him how to read using Biff and Chip books. This early start may have laid the groundwork for a lifelong love affair with literature.
Despite not developing a favourite book until his mid-twenties, Owusu has always been drawn to diverse authors and genres. His literary journey is dotted with iconic works such as DH Lawrence's St Mawr, EM Forster's Where Angels Fear to Tread, and HG Wells' The Time Machine. However, it wasn't until he read bell hooks' The Will to Change that Owusu truly grasped the complexities of masculinity.
This turning point in his life was soon followed by a series of epiphanies sparked by other writers. Benjamin Zephaniah's influence convinced him to pursue a master's in creative writing, while Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man, Claudia Rankine's Don't Let Me Be Lonely, and Yrsa Daley-Ward's The Terrible all opened his eyes to the power of literature.
Henry James' work had previously proven inaccessible to Owusu, but a re-reading of Washington Square soon revealed the beauty and complexity of James' writing. His subsequent reading of The Aspern Papers marked a turning point in his literary exploration, followed by five novels read back-to-back.
A comforting familiarity can be found in Ralph Waldo Emerson's Self-Reliance, which Owusu has revisited whenever his self-esteem is wavering. Conversely, Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray – initially captivating but ultimately cloying – has left a lasting impression of disappointment.
The discovery of Richard Yates' A Good School proved to be an unexpected revelation, leaving Owusu with an intense affection for the novel. Currently, he is immersed in Julian Barnes' Departure(s), and The Problems of Philosophy by Bertrand Russell serves as his go-to comfort read.
Owusu's love affair with literature has been a lifelong journey of discovery, shaped by the writers who have left their mark on him.
omg i never knew derek owusu was that deep into lit 
he's literally been reading for like forever and it's so cool how he's discovered so many new things through all those books 
i love how bell hooks' work made an impact on him, her words about masculinity are so thought-provoking 
he started reading at such a young age and it just kinda stuck with him 
what's wild is how all these different authors have influenced him over time and helped shape his love for literature 
I think its fascinating how Derek Owusu's literary journey reflects his growth and self-discovery - it's like he's unravelling the complexities of human experience through the pages of various authors 
. His love for diverse genres and writers is a testament to the power of literature in shaping our perspectives, and I find it really inspiring that he's found solace in books like Ralph Waldo Emerson's Self-Reliance when his self-esteem is wavering 
. The way he weaves together the threads of his literary experiences into a cohesive narrative is also quite remarkable - its almost like he's written his own memoir through the stories and authors that have impacted him 
.
! I mean, who wouldn't want to stumble upon books like The Time Machine and Invisible Man as a kid? It's crazy that his love for literature started with Biff and Chip books though lol. But for real, it's awesome how he found his way through the works of bell hooks, Benjamin Zephaniah, and Ralph Ellison. Their writing must've had a major impact on him 
And it's amazing how his love for diverse authors and genres just kinda... grew on him. I'm loving the fact that he's not afraid to admit when a book didn't quite click, like with Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray 
. But overall, it's all about finding those special books that just resonate with you, right? 