Benjamin Wood: ‘John Fowles’s The Magus was so frustrating I threw it at the wall’
Why it matters: Wood's literary journey offers a relatable look into how books shape us through life's stages.
- Benjamin Wood found John Fowles's The Magus so frustrating he threw it, yet it clearly left a lasting impression.
- Steinbeck's novels moved Wood to tears, highlighting the profound emotional impact literature can have.
- Becoming a father inspired Wood to revisit Marilynne Robinson's works, suggesting a shift in perspective and appreciation for certain themes.
- James M. Cain provides Wood with culinary comfort, showcasing the varied ways literature can offer solace and enjoyment.
Author Benjamin Wood shares his formative literary experiences, from the frustrating brilliance of John Fowles's The Magus to the emotional depth of Steinbeck, and how fatherhood led him to reread Marilynne Robinson. He also finds culinary comfort in James M. Cain, revealing a diverse and deeply personal relationship with literature.
