books
Virginia Evans: ‘I loved books about things that can’t exist’
The Women’s prize-shortlisted novelist on taking inspiration from John Steinbeck, Joan Didion and Jhumpa Lahiri, and weeping through Little Women in her 30s
TL;DR
- Early reading memories include 'The Velveteen Rabbit' and Shel Silverstein poems, shared with her sister.
- Favorite childhood books were mysteries and fantasy like Nancy Drew, The Boxcar Children, Narnia, and The Wind in the Willows.
- 'The Grapes of Wrath' by John Steinbeck profoundly impacted her at 15, teaching her about fiction's power and stretching her empathy.
- Joan Didion's work consistently changes her perspective on various aspects of life.
- Reading Jhumpa Lahiri's 'Interpreter of Maladies' in college inspired her to pursue writing.
- She initially disliked Jane Austen but enjoyed 'Pride and Prejudice' in her late twenties.
- Books she rereads include Daphne du Maurier's 'Rebecca' and Steinbeck's 'East of Eden'.
- The Millennium series by Stieg Larsson terrified her, and she cannot reread it.
- Reading 'Little Women' in her thirties led to tears, identifying with Jo's struggles and the mother's role.
- Currently rereading Sue Miller's 'While I Was Gone', appreciating its eerie undercurrent and construction.
- Comfort reads include 'The Uncommon Reader', 'Beautiful Ruins', and 'I Capture the Castle'.