Rebecca F. Kuang Calls “A Tale of Two Cities” Delightfully Campy: Here’s Why She Adores It

Childhood Favorite

The series that captured my imagination as a child was Brian Jacques’s Redwall, along with all its sequels. I dreamed of living as a squirrel amidst the enchanting Mossflower Woods!

Teenage Literary Revelations

During my college years, I delved into China Miéville’s Perdido Street Station and The City & the City. Previously, I was drifting away from fantasy, feeling I had outgrown the Redwall series and possibly the entire genre as I aged. However, Miéville rekindled my interest by introducing me to the vast and mature world of adult fantasy that tackled more complex issues relevant to my growing concerns.

Influential Writers of Recent Years

Initially, I was not particularly drawn to literature focused predominantly on romantic themes. However, in recent years, authors like Sally Rooney, Banana Yoshimoto, and Mieko Kawakami have profoundly altered my perspective. Their works, which masterfully capture the nuanced dynamics of personal relationships, have inspired me to explore similar themes in my own writing.

Familiar Voices Revisited

I struggled initially to appreciate Vladimir Nabokov’s sense of humor, giving up on Pnin during my college years. Recently, I revisited the book and found myself constantly amused. Similarly, it took several attempts to appreciate Victor Hugo’s verbose style. My early readings of Les Misérables were limited to sections about the Friends of the ABC, fueled by a teenage crush on Enjolras. It was only upon reading the unabridged version recently that I fully appreciated Hugo’s exhaustive explorations of topics like Waterloo and the Paris sewers.

Books Worth Revisiting

In college, David Mitchell became a favorite of mine after I passionately recommended The Bone Clocks to everyone. Initially, Cloud Atlas didn’t resonate with me as much, but upon a recent rereading, I was captivated by its beauty and affirming message. I’m pleased to find that Mitchell’s storytelling remains as enchanting as ever.

A Childhood Classic I Still Cherish

I recently purchased Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad Are Friends for a friend’s toddler’s birthday, yet I confess I still hold a fond affection for these stories myself.

Late Literary Discoveries

Only this summer did I finally read Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities. Despite enjoying his other novels, I had delayed exploring this one. Its exaggerated, melodramatic style, full of camp, has unexpectedly won my heart.

Current Reading List

I’m currently enjoying Mario Vargas Llosa’s The Time of the Hero, a recommendation from my French translator who shares my admiration for Borges and insisted I explore Vargas Llosa’s work. My reading interests have also recently veered towards existentialist authors like Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Gabriel Marcel, and Albert Camus. Intriguingly, I’ve just learned that the animated character Marcel the Shell is a playful nod to Gabriel Marcel’s philosophical ideas.

Go-To Comfort Read

Whenever I need soothing, I turn to any book by Ray Bradbury.