Tessa Hadley on Uneasy Books and Literary Solace in Turbulent Times
Tessa Hadley, a celebrated British author known for her nuanced exploration of human relationships and the complexities of life, reflects on the significance of "uneasy books" in her latest interview. According to Hadley, these books – characterized by their unflinching portrayal of difficult subjects and moral ambiguity – have long been a source of comfort and solace for her during times of turmoil.
Hadley's personal reading history is marked by an early fascination with children's literature, which, as she notes, "made me want to try" writing. Her love of storytelling was first expressed in games played with friends, but it wasn't until she encountered the intricacy of Henry James's fiction that she felt inspired to put pen to paper. However, even the great authors of her youth, such as Vladimir Nabokov and Leo Tolstoy, left her feeling intimidated by their complexity.
It was Jean Plaidy, whose historical novels Hadley devoured during a difficult period in her own education, who initially sparked her interest in uncomfortable subjects. These stories allowed her to "flood the oppressive grey world of school" with drama and excitement. Similarly, contemporary authors like Anita Brookner and Jean-Philippe Toussaint provide solace through their exploration of themes that may be considered unsettling or difficult.
However, Hadley emphasizes that not all comfort reads are created equal. In times of uncertainty, she finds that "uneasy books" – those that confront the reader with uncomfortable truths and moral complexities – offer a more profound sense of literary solace. As the author herself notes, "Comfortable books, though, aren't always comforting; uneasy books are better in uneasy times."
This notion resonates deeply for Hadley, who has long been drawn to authors who probe the human condition with candour and nuance. Her own writing often grapples with similar themes of love, loss, and the complexities of relationships. In an era marked by turbulence and uncertainty, it is clear that these "uneasy books" will continue to offer a powerful source of comfort and inspiration for Hadley's readers.
Tessa Hadley, a celebrated British author known for her nuanced exploration of human relationships and the complexities of life, reflects on the significance of "uneasy books" in her latest interview. According to Hadley, these books – characterized by their unflinching portrayal of difficult subjects and moral ambiguity – have long been a source of comfort and solace for her during times of turmoil.
Hadley's personal reading history is marked by an early fascination with children's literature, which, as she notes, "made me want to try" writing. Her love of storytelling was first expressed in games played with friends, but it wasn't until she encountered the intricacy of Henry James's fiction that she felt inspired to put pen to paper. However, even the great authors of her youth, such as Vladimir Nabokov and Leo Tolstoy, left her feeling intimidated by their complexity.
It was Jean Plaidy, whose historical novels Hadley devoured during a difficult period in her own education, who initially sparked her interest in uncomfortable subjects. These stories allowed her to "flood the oppressive grey world of school" with drama and excitement. Similarly, contemporary authors like Anita Brookner and Jean-Philippe Toussaint provide solace through their exploration of themes that may be considered unsettling or difficult.
However, Hadley emphasizes that not all comfort reads are created equal. In times of uncertainty, she finds that "uneasy books" – those that confront the reader with uncomfortable truths and moral complexities – offer a more profound sense of literary solace. As the author herself notes, "Comfortable books, though, aren't always comforting; uneasy books are better in uneasy times."
This notion resonates deeply for Hadley, who has long been drawn to authors who probe the human condition with candour and nuance. Her own writing often grapples with similar themes of love, loss, and the complexities of relationships. In an era marked by turbulence and uncertainty, it is clear that these "uneasy books" will continue to offer a powerful source of comfort and inspiration for Hadley's readers.
just read this interview with Tessa Hadley about her love for "uneasy books" 
and I'm totally on board! I mean, we're living in some crazy times right now 
so it makes sense that we need books that can tackle the tough stuff head-on 
. And honestly, who doesn't want to escape into a world of complex characters and moral ambiguity? 
I've been devouring all sorts of books lately - from psychological thrillers to literary fiction - just to keep my mind sharp and feeling alive 
. Tessa's got some amazing points about how "uneasy books" are the real comfort reads, not those fluffy romance novels we see on every bestseller list 
. Give me a good dose of uncomfortable truth anytime! 
. I need books that are gonna make me uncomfortable, you know? Like, really think about some stuff and not be able to easily just move on 
. It makes sense, because they're the ones that make me feel like I'm not alone, you know? Like, we're all in this together and it's okay to be uncomfortable 
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. I mean, don't get me wrong, comfort reads are great and all, but when the world is as messed up as it feels like sometimes... you need something that's gonna make you think 
. And I think that's what we all need right now – a dose of reality and some complex characters to match 
My favorite authors are like that - Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, they're not afraid to get real and explore the messy parts of human life. 
. But what about the books that just leave you feeling drained or sad? Like, I know they're trying to convey important messages, but do we really need to wallow in all that emotional pain alongside them 
? And what about books that are just plain uncomfortable because of their historical context or representation? Don't those deserve our critique and care, too? 
It's refreshing to see an author embracing the complexity and discomfort that makes us human. And I love how she points out that not all comfort reads are created equal – some can actually be pretty alienating or superficial.
like Gillian Flynn's stuff - they're soooo not easy to read, but in a weird way, they make me feel less alone when the world is all messed up 
. Don't get me wrong, comfy books can be fun too 
, but when life gets tough, you need something that'll make you feel all the feels and then some 
These kinds of books are like a much-needed hug from a friend – they're gonna make you feel uncomfortable but also somehow, you know, a little bit better. I'm already adding some Jean-Philippe Toussaint to my reading list and I'm excited to dive into some Anita Brookner too. Anyone else with me on this? 
? It's like, the ultimate literary therapy session 
. I've always been drawn to authors who tackle tough subjects head-on, and Hadley is definitely one of them 
. Like, what other way to process all this chaos than through a good book 
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it's not always easy or fun to read about difficult subjects, but sometimes it's just what we need to process our emotions and feel less alone 
As Tessa Hadley says, "uneasy books" are where it's at for me when things get tough 