Stick to the classics, advises Ruskin Bond as he talks about his favourite books. From David Copperfield to William Somerset Maugham, Bond spoke to BloombergQuint about the authors who influenced him to take up writing as a profession.
“A lot of my writing was influenced by books I read in my childhood. It influenced my will to be a writer,” Bond said.
Here are the books that influenced Bond:
David Copperfield, By Charles Dickens
In my school days, one of the first books I read was David Copperfield. “This book gave me the feeling that it would be good to be a writer when I grow up. Even young David grows up to be one,” said Bond.
The Pickwick Papers, By Charles Dickens
After reading this, I became a Dickens fan. I enjoyed Pickwick Papers due to the humour in it.
Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland, By Lewis Carroll
The first book I read as a child was Alice in Wonderland. I loved this book because it had such unusual ideas in the story.
Typhoon And Other Stories; And Heart Of Darkness, By Joseph Conrad
I enjoy reading stories of the sea by Joseph Conrad. I especially liked Typhoon and Heart of Darkness. It had a “great sense of adventure and a strong feeling for the sea”. He himself was a captain before he became an author.
Cakes And Ale; And The Moon And Sixpence, By William Somerset Maugham
Another author that I like is Somerset Maugham. I liked Cakes and Ale and The Moon and Sixpence. This is about an artist who gives up his job. It is based on Paul Gauguin’s life. Somerset’s stories are good, strong, realistic, and speak about human nature, according to Bond.
PG Wodehouse
Another author I love is PG Wodehouse for his sense of humour.
Agatha Christie
Detective stories by Agatha Christie. I love her simple, clear writing.
Just William, By Richmal Crompton
William by Crompton is another favourite. This book talks of an unruly schoolboy William Brown.
“I never liked Enid Blyton. She was too goody goody.”
Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde, By RL Stevenson
This talks of the two aspects of human nature which we all have.
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