Recently, I read The Magician, by Colm Toibín. It’s a fictionalized biography of the German writer Thomas Mann. I’ve read a couple of books by Thomas Mann and find him to be a challenging-but-rewarding writer. I’d heard so many good things about this biography, my expectations were really high. The book turned out to be as deep as a puddle.
Anything by Sally Rooney. Nobody can come back and say that was too hard, or too much of a slog. And yet no-one can say that it lacks depth.
What’s your earliest memory of reading?
Do you have a favourite book from school?
David Foster Wallace. A master of modern prose.
How often do you read now?
The first book that really awed me was “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl. I remember devouring the rest of his work very swiftly…
What are you reading at the moment?
The Years of Lyndon Johnson, by Robert Caro.
Is there a book you’ve always wanted to read but haven’t yet?
Animal Farm, by George Orwell
Is there a book you’d recommend to almost anyone?
Maurice Conchis, from The Magus, by John Fowles. He’s a worldly, manipulative and sinister puppeteer and it’s never quite clear where the truth lies with him. It makes him strangely charismatic.
What book didn’t live up to its hype?
Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy. I’m embarrassed that I’ve never read Tolstoy….
Do you have a favourite character from literature?
Charles Pignal was born and raised in Paris, and has now lived in Asia for the last ten years. He developed a love of reading at a very young age which was amplified by some great English teachers at school. He shares his reading recommendations on his popular Instagram account, creates Spotify playlists for some of his favourite books, and also has a great YouTube channel where he interviews authors.
Is there a book you often re-read?
Welcome to My Life in Books, a weekly series where readers, writers and content creators share how books have shaped them over the years.
Do you have a favourite author?
Welcome to My Life in Books, a weekly series where readers, writers and content creators share how books have shaped them over the years.
Feeling inspired? Shop Charles Pignal’s favourite books below…
