The article reflects on the author's formative reading experiences, starting with childhood fairy tales and transitioning into significant historical works during their teenage years. They recount how Gibbon's history and Graetz's work intertwined to provide a deeper understanding of the past. The piece also discusses a renewed appreciation for Dostoevsky through Joseph Frank's biography, which unveiled the complexities behind his tumultuous writing style. Finally, the author acknowledges how reading Little Women not only inspired their passion for writing but also taught them essential writing techniques, emphasizing literature's lasting impact on personal growth.
My earliest reading memory includes Andrew Lang's Fairy books and the grim Brothers Grimm, presenting vivid phrases and familiar themes of victory over despair.
The two defining books of my late teenage years were Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire and Graetz's History of the Jews, which deepened my understanding of history.
My aversion to Dostoevsky shifted after reading Joseph Frank's biography, revealing the richness of his anguished art and the depth behind his chaotic narratives.
Little Women shaped my desire to write, not just inspiring me, but teaching me the intricacies of writing craft through Jo's character.
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