J.K. Rowling interviewed by New York Times – reveals literary favorites

by · October 11, 2012

The New York Times has released their interview with the Harry Potter author, J.K. Rowling, in which she revealed many of her passions in literature.

From the article:

    • What was the last book that made you cry?The honest answer is “The Casual Vacancy.” I bawled while writing the ending, while rereading it and when editing it.

 

    • The last book that made you laugh?“The Diaries of Auberon Waugh.” It’s in my bathroom, and it’s always good for a giggle.

 

    • The last book that made you furious?As Margaret Thatcher might say, I don’t wish to give it the oxygen of publicity.

 

    • If you could require the president to read one book, what would it be? The prime minister?The president’s already read “Team of Rivals,” and I can’t think of anything better for him. I’d give our prime minister “Justice,” by Michael Sandel.

 

    • What were your favorite books as a child?“The Little White Horse,” by Elizabeth Goudge; “Little Women,” by Louisa May Alcott; “Manxmouse,” by Paul Gallico; everything by Noel Streatfeild; everything by E. Nesbit; “Black Beauty,” by Anna Sewell (indeed, anything with a horse in it).

 

  • Did you have a favorite character or hero as a child? Do you have a literary hero as an adult?My favorite literary heroine is Jo March. It is hard to overstate what she meant to a small, plain girl called Jo, who had a hot temper and a burning ambition to be a writer.

To read the entire article, click here.